Gelcoat Removal ... & My Intro/First Post

[Motor_Boat_Boi]

Hello All,

New to the forum and new Seacraft Owner.

I've been lurking on this site and others all while dreaming of restoring my own SC and finally found one within my budget and in need of some TLC.

She's a 1973 SF20 (Hull #55 I believe?) and seems to be unmolested with the exception of a 5" raise to the transom some time ago to accommodate a repower to 25" shaft outboard. A 1990 Yamaha 200 2stroke.

The transom rebuild seems to be good work but i haven't cut her open yet. I purchased the boat from the marina where she's been dry docked for 20+ years, also where the transom work was done long ago and where it was on consignment when i purchased her.

Met the previous owner who shared he did the bare minimum with regards to upkeep and repairs and the current state of the boat reflects this methodology.

On to my dumb questions where I'm hoping to hear from any of the subject matter experts here to set me straight.

The hull has visible osmosis in so many places both below and WAY above the waterline, the gelcoat from the transom repair is failing where it meets up with the existing gelcoat and all the seacocks were poorly patched. So in short, the entire boat needs sanded, repaired and faired back to her original glory. I plan to paint the hull once done with the restoration at this time.

With this I'm considering of removing all of the gelcoat (via GelPeel) from the hull down to glass. This is fairly standard with sailboat restorations taking the gelcoat down to glass but I cannot find much online where folks are doing this with smaller sport fishing boats. THE QUESTION: AM I CRAZY TO DO THIS TO MY SC?

I'm aware and excited about all the additional fairing and sanding needed to bring the hull back, I'm just looking for some honest opinions on whether or not I should remove all the gelcoat to prevent any future osmosis on the hull once restored?

I believe I'm almost fully decided on West Sys as my Epoxy brand of choice below the waterline = 422 barrier coat.

With that comes my next dumb question: Am I crazy to do a barrier coat on the entire hull vs just up to my waterline?

I see so many using 2 different barrier coats or primers both above and below the waterline. What are the pros/cons for using a single product as a barrier coat to cover the entire hull?

I look forward to any feedback, positive and/or negative for any of the crazy things I've outlined here. This forum is full of legends and I want to learn from you all, much respect.

Thx in advance.

[dirtwheelsfl]

I would be taking all the gel off yes.. not sure id peel it on such a thin hull though, unless you set it just deep enough for most of the gelcoat then finish with a grinder or DA.

Never used the 422 but any laminating epoxy will be a better true barrier coat than interprotect or the like…

If the glass underneath the gel is in real bad shape you might wanna put a light layer of cloth down to keep the original stuff from “checking” thru the new shiny paint job. Epoxy use a surfboard cloth, some people will do an entire layer of mat too if theyre using the smelly shit.

Are you putting bottom paint back on?

[Motor_Boat_Boi]

Thx for the reply and info @dirtwheelsfl

You asked if I plan to use bottom paint once restored and my thoughts currently are no, don't foresee any extended stays in the water.

I've seen some restorations were they put a layer of glass following gelcoat removal. I plan to skim and fair the entire hull so reckon I'll already be addressing any imperfections on the hull so may not hurt.

One other thought I had regarding the hull thickness was I intend to glass the entire interior of the hull through the restoration process, removing the inner liner and on the sides applying a foam board covered with glass and faired.

For the exterior you suggest cloth, would that provide any structural strength or is this just to prevent checking?

Mat would provide structural strength and prevent checking correct?

What is this smelly shit you describe?

[dirtwheelsfl]

50yr old substrate sometimes does weird things when sanded on and painted with a high gloss finish, the light layer of epoxy and cloth just prevents any uglies from coming thru the finish paint later on, its completely cosmetic. Checking is the only word i could come up with haha.

Smelly shit is poly or vinyl. Check out 19 sternrider, i did exactly what youre describing…page 5 of rebuilds

[Motor_Boat_Boi]

@dirtwheelsfl All i can say is WoW!

This is apparent based on the praise you got on that build within thread but still WoW!

I was concerned of how hard it would be to get all the fairing back to a factory like finish but i would hate to have some checking come through following the refit.

I see some areas on the gelcoat where i can see the weave of the mat used to build it so this hull is really showing her age.

I've been looking for a bow rider for some time when I found the SF, I will continue to search for a bow rider to redo some day in the future.

My motor comes off tomorrow so will be going under the knife soon.

I must share again that bow rider build of yours is AMAZING!