Gelcoat repair

[Alpine331]

This weekend I hit a large piece of debris (it was actually an entire tree, waterlogged and lurking just below the surface!). Thankfully no one was injured but there was some significant damge to the gelcoat on my hull (see pic). I have searched on this site and found several great tips and DIY articles on repairing gelcoat but:

1. It’s a pretty big area to repair (almost 16 inches). Should I tackle this myself or have it done professionally. I’m pretty handy but I also want my boat repaired.
2. If I do it myself I’ve already found the Spectrum kit on Nautiqueparts.com but I’m unsure how much to get. If anyone has ordered it before, do you think one 2oz kit will be enough?
3. The damage is on the bottom of the hull. How do I keep the gel from dripping while it’s curing? Some people mentioned packing tape but curious if I should wedge a 2x4 flat against hull or is that stuff pretty sticky?

And any other advice on this repair you can offer would bemuch appreciated. Thanks!

[jhersey29]

Did a thumb size blister this winter and it took about 1/8 of the spectrum kit. Most of the excess was to drip, light sand and add more. Same process as filling a hole in drywall. Better to put less let it cure and add more. Sanding is not fun and waste material. You'll probably need at least 4 kits. If you want detail PM me and we can chat over the phone with my experience. The hardest part for such a large area will be color match and getting it flat. You'll need to attach the sandpaper to a block to keep even. Tape off the area with painters tape, putty, cure, sand, repeat with new tape each time. The kits are very sensitive in color match to the amount of hardner. Follow gel to hardner ratio as close as you can to match. It probably won't match exactly but will be close.

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[lucky7t]

I've used Saran Wrap to encase the gel on the surface to dry. I think you will need more material though .

[shag]

I would look at paying someone to do it... It's on an edge..... Just my .02

[ski4evr]

I had my last boat repaired in Nashville. They actually have a rig to turn the boat upside down and work on it like a table top. Had to completely empty every compartment and fuel. Wasn't an inboard, but they did other people's inboards the same way, just more to drain. good luck!

[Alpine331]

So I called a local marine repair shop today and they came and looked at it. Just FYI, he said the exposed fiberglass can actually absorb some water and cause delamination issues around and away from the damaged area and I should fix it asap. He's done some repair work on other boats in my community and seems pretty straight up. Anyways, he quoted me $600 I figured it was worth having a professional take care of it (4 of the Spectrum kits was going run me almost $150 anyways).

Thanks to everyone for their advice and I'll keep you posted.