gouge on hull

[NWCTSN1994]

I just bought a 1994 Ski Nautique. I did not notice that the trailer was missing the carpeted pads on the fenders. When I launched the boat the fender gouged the port hull about 3 1/2 inches long. I am devastated and feel like a complete NOOB. I can see the fiberglass. How do I fix this and is it OK to put the boat back in before I fix it?

Thanks.

[jkallen21]

I can't see how deep that is (I know it's painful), but if that is just through the gelcoat, marine bond (think bondo for boats) will do the job (structurally anyway). You may notice it in the black line.

[Skidave]

I know this situation. I had an old trailer bunk break (the harware holding it on failed all at the same time) when I was putting a boat back on the trailer. I could feel every inch of the gouge. It sucked! I was so upset, I called a boat dealer Monday and paid what ever it took to fix it. I keep good tabs on my trailer bunks and carpet, that was just something that happened randomly.

[NWCTSN1994]

It is completely through the gelcoat. I can see the fibers in the fiberglass. Is Marine Bond still the right fix? Will I be able to shape it with a knife and sandpaper? I can get the color match gelcoat further down the road when I get the boat detailed. I think?

Thanks for the help.

[NWCTSN1994]

Thanks for letting me know I am not alone, SkiDave. It was brutal. At least it can be fixed though - for a price.

[jhersey29]

Nautiqueparts.com look for the Spectrum Gel Coat Patch kits. There is also a good.video series on YouTube. I'll post a link shortly
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[jhersey29]

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9_mybTevss.
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[jhersey29]

It also looks like.you have several blisters. Is the boat by chance wrapped? The picture look a lot like a ripped wrap versus damaged gel coat. It might just be the picture.
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[nyryan2001]

Looks like only the white part is gouged??

Marinetex! Clean, sand add Marinetex, sand smooth, repeat 3-4x.

[First226]

I agree with nyryan, it doesn't look like it is through the gel coat. it looks like a decal or wrap.

[NWCTSN1994]

Here are some better pics of the blisters and the gouge. The gouge is completely through the white gelcoat? but no damage to the fiberglass. But the fiberglass is completely exposed. I should keep the boat out of the water till I fix it? Also are the blisters anything to worry about? When I get the boat detailed will they be concealed somewhat?

Thanks for the help guys.

[vortech347]

I'm not sure on do it yourself fixing this but I had a similar situation earlier this season. One of my trailer bunks gouged the gelcoat down to the fiberglass about 4-6" long. I spent $1,000 getting it repaired but the shop did a great job. You can't tell where the damage was prior and that 1k included fixing two spots up near the bow eye so it was not all for the gouge.

It's not cheap if you have it done is my point but I didn't want to risk not doing it right.

[jkallen21]

I have a similar gouge in the bottom of the hull near the prop. I left it in the water all summer with no issues, but every scratch is different. Yours doesn't look that bad honestly (it just feels like it). I had an estimate from a fiberglass shop locally of $300 to fix it.
I also have the blisters. Comes from aforementioned leaving in the water...don't do that. It needs to dry out every few weeks. My estimate on that is $3000. I won't be fixing it. It's 100% cosmetic and fixing it will reduce top-end speed according to the shop. It also will never be as thick a gel coat as the factory. They do reduce somewhat if you keep it dry.