Re-Gel estimate question

i would say it sounds too good to be true price to me when you think about how much it costs just to have two truck cab corners repaired on your average g/m ford truck. not apples to apples but it is quite a bit of work to be done on that

I would make sure he is going to dig out each crack & fill with epoxy. If you just sand it down & regel over the cracks, they will come back someday.

If he is willing to work for around 20$ an hour the price is possible, you certainly wont find cheaper - so what are your questions on the price? For that amount of money I wouldnt expect a factory quality finish in terms of smoothness, but if that is what you are after then you can always wetsand and buff yourself.

those cracks likely all start at the screw holes holding in the rubrail. On later boats the factory ground a groove all the way around the gelcoat above those screw holes but still behind the rub rail to keep that from happening - if you get it fixed I suggest you do the same.

JoeinNY wrote: those cracks likely all start at the screw holes holding in the rubrail. On later boats the factory ground a groove all the way around the gelcoat above those screw holes but still behind the rub rail to keep that from happening - if you get it fixed I suggest you do the same.

+1^

I have a few cracks on my bow coming from the rub rail fasteners. Two years ago at the Minneapolis Boat Show I was verbally quoted $800-$900 to fix them (just the bow cracks) because the rub rail was going to have to be removed and a groove cut through the gel, right above the fasteners, all the way around the boat. I also have a few cracks coming from the windshield and bow teak strip fasteners. I was told that I have them because the factory never ran a countersink through the gel coat layer prior to running the screws in. At the time of learning this, I happened to have everything removed from the deck of my boat so I took a countersink bit in reverse and countersunk each hole before putting the boat back together. So far no additional cracks have developed...

^^Sounds like this has the makings of a good Winter project...

Sorry, I should have clarified - Countersinking was only in reference to the fastener holes for the windshield, teak strips (if you have them), deck cleats, etc....Not the rub rail fastener holes - Groove only for them.

His finalized estimate is $1200 to repair all cracks and regel the entire deck. He would also buff out the rest of the hull as well. He said he would fix the cracks with Adtech resin or fiberglass depending on what he finds when prepping.

I have another guy coming by to give me an estimate. I'm curious to see what he says.

second estimate came back at $2300 and I would have to remove the rubrail, windshield, bow hook, interior and nav lights. He has a small shop and would need to do the work starting in November.

First guy has access to a professional shop and paint booth and is half the price. I'm leaning more towards the first guy. They both appear to have the same fix. Open the cracks and fill with epoxy resin and the re-gel upper deck. First guy would start in January and would need about 3 weeks as he will doing it in his off time.

What would you guys do?