Bottoms Up 23 Build

[FLexpat]

Originally Posted by Kraken

IÂ’ve been trying to decide on paint or gelcoat. Pros and cons for both. The primary use for this boat will be diving and spear fishing. It will be trailered. So it will need a real durable finish on the deck, cap, and bottom. The belly band can be paint. Are there better options?

The cap has all the holes filled and the bait well glassed on. Ready for fairing and maybe gelcoat. The outside of the hull is ready too. Just need to finish up the deck / transom wall with a radius and tabbing. Also need to mold up the front hatch cover. IÂ’m getting close to sending it off for final finish.

I was looking at my quiltwork of a stern cap a couple of months ago and wondering why I was bothering to put it back together instead of molding a new one with gelcoat already on. I had just decided to make a mold and do it when you did this one - now I am sure it is the right idea. It is going to be lighter and stronger as a newly molded piece. I guess the old one is now just a proof of concept and cover to keep leaves out til the new one gets made.

I will be using a Vinyl Ester gelcoat that is very close in color to the old one for the new decks and stern cap. If the color match is not good enough I will go over it with paint. The reason I'm using gelcoat is that it is thicker than paint alone; when the surface gets worn or damaged it won't show as bad if wear/damage does not go all the way through the 0.040" to resin/glass. I'm using VE gelcoat since it is supposed to be stronger, harder, and more flexible than poly gelcoat. I will find out but I already know it is harder to get .

Like Don says, Moose's interior looks good and is perfect for what he does.

[Kraken]

Gelcoat first is the way to go. Unless you vacuum bag you will have some pinholes in your layup. Gelcoat buries them. It also gives you something to sand if there are any imperfections.

Reading moose’s build now.

[kmoose]

Rolling gelcoat on the gunnels and interior is a great option if you plan on not worrying about chips and dings. I use my boat with no regard to scuffs, scrapes and dings and it really makes using the boat much easier as you can always fix anything that happens which will always occur.

One thing I will recommend is that you choose a standard color for these areas from a reliable dealer. This will make touch up much easier. Also I would recommend using Duratec additive instead of wax or surfacing agent. Duratec adds uv protection and gives you a durable, glossy finish that cleans up well. The only issue is that you will need to apply multiple coats to get the thickness you need on the high traffic areas on the gunnels and transom cap. I also keep a small container of touch up mixed in the refrigerator. When I have a chip I just mix a drop or two of premixed duratec and gelcoat with a drop of hardener and dab it in with a small brush.

[Kraken]

Originally Posted by kmoose

Rolling gelcoat on the gunnels and interior is a great option if you plan on not worrying about chips and dings. I use my boat with no regard to scuffs, scrapes and dings and it really makes using the boat much easier as you can always fix anything that happens which will always occur.

One thing I will recommend is that you choose a standard color for these areas from a reliable dealer. This will make touch up much easier. Also I would recommend using Duratec additive instead of wax or surfacing agent. Duratec adds uv protection and gives you a durable, glossy finish that cleans up well. The only issue is that you will need to apply multiple coats to get the thickness you need on the high traffic areas on the gunnels and transom cap. I also keep a small container of touch up mixed in the refrigerator. When I have a chip I just mix a drop or two of premixed duratec and gelcoat with a drop of hardener and dab it in with a small brush.

Thanks Moose I’m not one to flip out if I get a scratch. If the boat isn’t getting beat up we are not using it hard enough. I do want it to look reasonably good and be easy to clean. I like your comment of selecting a standard color the make it easy to repair. Between spearguns tanks and coolers I will be busy.

Did you mix duratech with each coat or just the top layer? Also did you did any sanding and buffing?

[Capt Terry]

Originally Posted by kmoose

Rolling gelcoat on the gunnels and interior is a great option if you plan on not worrying about chips and dings.

Thx Moose. Being in the midst of a transom pour and redo, your suggestion intrigued me for the transom cap. Do you have some other suggestions like type of roller for the gelcoat, required preparation, etc. I presume you are doing a little scuffing up between the multiple coats of gelcoat to get the desired thickness. Thx.

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Kraken

Thanks Moose I’m not one to flip out if I get a scratch. If the boat isn’t getting beat up we are not using it hard enough. I do want it to look reasonably good and be easy to clean. I like your comment of selecting a standard color the make it easy to repair. Between spearguns tanks and coolers I will be busy.

Did you mix duratech with each coat or just the top layer? Also did you did any sanding and buffing?

Sorry for the delay.... Yes I go 1/3 duratech to gelcoat. You can add coats within the hour or if still slightly tacky. If it goes past that I score it with a 3M green pad and add more coats.

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Capt Terry

Thx Moose. Being in the midst of a transom pour and redo, your suggestion intrigued me for the transom cap. Do you have some other suggestions like type of roller for the gelcoat, required preparation, etc. I presume you are doing a little scuffing up between the multiple coats of gelcoat to get the desired thickness. Thx.

I have had varied success with foam rollers that gave me the best finish but they are one time use and the mix cannot get tacky or the foam roller comes apart. The Duratech really helps with getting the gelcoat to "lay down" nice as long as you don't let it start to set. I only do that if I want a little texture, which I do on the top of the gunwales and transom cap. I would also recommend the final few coat be 50/50 Duratec. The mix will be a little loose but the added Duratec will yield its best UV protection at that mix rate.

I think If I had to do it again I may have gone just straight gelcoat for the build up and then duratec on the top coats but I wanted to have a somewhat consistent hardness and uv resistance.

[Capt Terry]

Moose- thanks. Think I’ll try some trials before the real transom cap.

[kmoose]

Originally Posted by Capt Terry

Moose- thanks. Think I’ll try some trials before the real transom cap.

Good idea, I think you will find you need to apply double of what you think is good. Transom caps and gunnels are high wear areas and it needs to be thick. Also, don’t cheap out on gelcoat. Make sure you are buying builders grade, not “boatyard” buckets that have been sitting for a year. Be prepared for double the price. I made the mistake once and ended up fighting mold on cheap, porous gelcoat. There is also differences in mekp grades. Whoever is selling you the gelcoat will know what you need. Mekp has a short shelf life more so than the gelcoat. Containers need to be well sealed and not stored in a hot nor freezing shed.

When I get ready to apply, I let all my materials get to ambient temp. This especially comes into play if it’s humid. Water is your enemy and if you mix cooler gelcoat than ambient moisture will condense on and in the mix. I’ve learned the hard way on all of the above.

[Capt Terry]

Moose- Thx again for the additional tips. As I occasionally do, I printed the comments from you and others, to avoid searching for them later.