Hull Damage, gel coat repair.

I have some gel coat damage on my 1995 Sport Nautique on the bottom of the hull next to the water intake. I've included a picture because it's worth a thousand words.

Should I get it repaired before putting it back in the water? I've just bought the boat and would like to ride it once or twice before putting it up for the winter. I plan to do several repairs over the winter and would rather get this repaired along with some smaller gel coat issues in the spring once I have had a chance to work on the boat.

Lastly does this look like something a novice could take with a gelcoat Repair kit or does this look like it may require a professional to do it properly.
Damage Picture

This Place has repair kits specific for your color, make, and model for roughly $35.

Any idea how difficult it is doing it yourself? Ironicly I chipped my gel coat on my ***************ty trailer fender lastweek[/URL

I used the one above,think I got it thru iboats for 25. Color is a little off for mine,a little titanium dioxide would have fixed that. Yours being on the bottom an exact match isnt as critical. Color matching gelcoat is the hardest part of the repair. Take a dremel tool taper the gel back from the damage much like you would featheredge when doing paint. Run the dremel over the glass a little just to clean any contaminates off and wipe with acetone. Mix your gel with the hardner and apply. I use the screwdriver I mixed it with and just blob it on making sure it's higher than the original gel. After it hardens, block wet sand starting with 400 then 600,800,1000 then buff and polish. A nice easy job that makes you feel like you really accomplished something. When you go to color match do not add the hardner,gel color does not change as it drys or when hardner is added

Thanks guys.

Is the boat usable like this until its fixed?

Call mertons Fiberglass in Springfield,MA. He can set you up with smaller quantity and colors to match it correctly. it won't cost anywhere close to $96

I only used tape when I used a straight gel,and only to hold it in place while it set. Using a block to sand was always good enough,you just have to be carefull and not be in a rush. The Spectrum gel which I honestly recommend has a thickner already in it. This kit I bought for my 95 supposedly comes from the same source that Correct Craft uses to this day.,but like I said turned out to be a little darker than my boat,but just get some white (titanium dioxide) used for tinting and adjust yours to match.

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