Gel respray questions

I have reached a point with my restoration where a major decision needs to be made. I have spent the summer stripping all the paint from the hull and deck of my boat that was done by it's previous owner. What I am left with is a nice blank canvas of old fiberglass repairs, deteriorating body filler covering dock rash, blisters along the water line and some pretty bad cracking in the gel. The hull has really seen better days. Some of the body lines have been ground away and I am really at a cross road. The hull is borderline cut up or save. I’m opting for salvaging it rather that sourcing a donor. It’s a shame because a lot of the old work is so poor and none of it was visible however I had my suspicions. Never the less, I’m going to do one of three things and need to make that decision. Whatever I do will require a ton of sanding filling and misc glass repairs. Oh, and a ton more sanding after that.

This brings me to my options. I’m currently looking at spraying Interlux perfection, Awlgrip or going all the way and redoing the gel. With the amount of work ahead of me, one or two more steps is not a big deal. With the two part paints, I would treat the entire boat with 2000e primer then begin filling and fairing. Some major cracks will need to be patched prior. The big question is what do I need to do if I want to go the route of all new gel? I’m not convinced that the new gel will look better or perform better than the 2 part paints. The purist in me says it's the right thing to do. The majority of the boat yards in my area don’t even bother with gelcoat for a project like this, I have asked. The big question is what kind of prep is required for all new gel? Can I spray gel over epoxy primer? Do I need to coat the entire boat in VE resin then shoot gel? I just don’t know. Keep in mind, my existing gelcoat is well beyond saving…

Thanks!

Chris for some good reading go to this thread. Then go and read the links on post #2. On the small part I did,mainly the console I had trouble with pinholes,ie fisheyes in the paint business. Since I did it in multiple coats I was able to work around it.

My opinion would be: Paint for selling it quickly and starting another project, Gel if you want to keep it!

8122pbrainard wrote: So, over there do people actually buy half azzed boats?

Well it's not an area where you can just walk down the street and fall over multiple boats and they will follow you home like Steve manages to do. You want a Nautique in Europe you'll most likely take what you can get. We as Americans have a pretty short view of the world,thats why we get into trouble shooting our mouths off over there. But also on the other hand that is why we would not put up with some of the items they sent us,think Renault,Alfa,BMC,Messerschmidt,Sunbeam,Peugeot,Fiat

8122pbrainard grumpy old git wrote: So, over there do people actually buy half azzed boats?

YES WE DO! I am the proud owner of a half azzed boat

We as Americans have a pretty short view of the world,thats why we get into trouble shooting our mouths off over there.

LOL that's funny actually we think you all weight 20 stone, drink coke by the gallon bucket, supersize every meal and can't keep your mouths shut for more than 5 minutes


The difference with correct crafts available between the US and Europe and many other territories is huge and to a large extent you will take what you can find in your country, there have been a grand total of 4 correct craft 2001's on the market over the last year that I have found in the UK and 2 of these are salt water (sea) boats.

Given the choice hands down without question I would not have a painted boat I would go Gel, but compared to the other boats I found in my price range there was simply no competition.

Oh and Gary some of us feel the same about the junk you mentioned the Lotus Sunbeam was ok for its time though If it didn't rust away under your right foot


To the original question, if you are going with all that hard work then Gel regardless of being in the US or Europe, keep it original


P.S. Pete as long as you keep giving out help and advise you can call my boat half azzed and I will still laugh at your grumpy attitude

Cuda Chris wrote: Resale is really not a concern either, the satisfaction of bringing this boat back to life and how much fun Im going to have with it is.

I think you just answered your own question.

Gel it.

I'm leaning towards gel. Just trying to get my plans in order to do the job. I'd like to separate the deck from the hull so I can spray each part separately. Will make the stringer job easier along with all the prep work. Flip the hull, block and sand, etc. I priced getting the hull done in awlgrip professionally and the cost vs benefit was not exactly where I wanted to be. Bring on the gel! Stringers are first though.

Thanks!