To fill in damaged areas, start by sanding them with coarse 36 grit sandpaper to remove any. Apply to the damaged area in work temperature between 65 and 90 degrees. This is indicative that they are no longer sealed against the transom andor splash well. The two brass drain plugs on your transom seem to be weeping leaking water. Koski boatworks, with shops in northern new jersey and whitehall, new york, continues a 3rd generation tradition of finnish craftsmanship that began with the portage entry boat works in portage entry, chassell, michigan on the shore of lake superior. I know these boats very well, being that your boat is a 66 it has a ton of water in it, thats what causes gel coat cracks. My plan is to remove the many coats of antifouling paint below the waterline, then apply three coats of the west system epoxy and. We are passionate about restoring boats and this 1986 boston whaler 15. It also shaped the areas that i had filled in with various consistencies of thickened epoxy. In this series of articles i am going to cover all the steps we took. Fiberglass gelcoat repair boston whaler restoration part 6. Polyester gelcotes will not chemically bond to epoxy.
So i have chosen an old 16 ft 1960s whaler as the boat to look for. Unpainted, original gel coat inside and out, spider crack, in the usual places, to be expected for this vintage vessel. Boston whaler restoration the gel coat on that boat is in very bad shape, it will need a great deal of work to make it look even close to right again. Spectrum color boston whaler, 19721993, desert tan color. The gel coat is in pretty rough shape cracked, chipped and pitted. Gel coat products has supplied gel coat and other fiberglass support materials to the marine, shower, and rv industry for over 25 years, and have over 8,000 standards in house, our goal is to make the ordering process as simple and informative as it can be to the home, boat, and rv owners. These are often used to make small repairs to dings, cracks, etc. This is what happens when you apply the same high standards of restoration on a 200k triple to a 167. Best gel coat, resin and color for 87 outrage page. A 1968 foot boston whaler is used for this series of articles. As for the finishing, you can sand down the whole boat and paint it with a durable 2 part. Ocean city and salisbury, md boat repair, fiberglass repair, boat painting.
The gel coat on these are usualy spider cracked to death. They can let water soak into your transom because boston whaler didnt hot coat these hole from the factory. Repairing hull damage the whaler way by taylor clark. Epifanes boston whaler twopart polyurethane paints mixed with jamestown distributors custom color mixing machine, this is an accurate color match to the common boston whaler blue color. Dont use the port cable da sander, it is garbage and will just waste your polish. One of the six basic colors will match the gel coat. Used to fill gouges, chips, scrapes and deep scratches in fiberglass gel coat finishes. Mix 12 of the gel coat paste bottle 1oz with 10 drops of hardener. Molded fiberglass with a gel coated exterior finish makes up the structure of the hull, deck and some interior parts of your boston whaler. Spectrum color boston whaler, 19721993, desert tan color boat gel coat patch paste repair kit. Do you really want to make this look like new, or do you want it to look good and be usable.
They can occur in any form of fiberglass, including cars, boats and swimming pools. In this article, tom clark and i demonstrate the factoryrecommend method to repair damage to a boston whaler. Apply a coat of urethane marine varnish following manufacturers instructions on the package. Stress cracks on the hulls below the waterline also contributed to the formation of blisters on the hull. Boston whaler full restore from bare fiberglass gelcoat. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired.
Since the hull of a boston whaler is constructed in a unique and patented way. This helped remove some of the old paint and loose gel coat. Aug 28, 2014 thanks to matt balogh and brian conroy from the antique boat center for sending us in this great restoration of a classic 1961 boston whaler that brian has worked on for 8 years. The exterior gelcoat has basically turned to chalk. Can i install a heavier fourstroke engine on my older boston whaler, and if so, what is the maximum engine weight for my boat. Repairing hull damage the whaler way continuouswave. Only 150 were made, i dont know how many are remaining but i believe less than 30 from what ive found over the years. Do i need to actually rebuild the whole transom or can i. If the cracks on your boat were caused by impacts, such as around rub rails or where a heavy object was dropped, move on to step 1. In 1958, the company has made a breakthrough by creating a boat, which has no analogues. Find the spectrum color boston whaler, 19982004, white color boat gel coat you need today.
Apply a coat of non thickened gel coat after for best results. Soda blast or sand the interior smooth and gel coat it again. I recently purchased a 1969 16 7 boston whaler and i am eager to repair it and get it back to looking new. Then polish using a direct drive buffer and 3m imperial polish and a wool pad. The good news about these cracks is that theyre largely cosmetic problems. Newer 2012 on models use arctic white material while boston whaler commercial uses primarily. I need to repair some cracks but first need to buy gelcoat. Oceana boatworks boston whaler restoration project. Also, if you are looking for a boat to restore you can go to our section on how to find a used boston whaler by clicking here. In part 2 of this boston whaler restoration i tackle the fiberglass repair from delamination on the bow. I started sanding down the hull, and, in some areas, the gel coat was so thin.
Since then the court of boston whaler has reached cult status. If you color matched gel paste small repairs then sand and buff. We were fortunate to acquire this whaler from a very pleasant waterman up on the eastern shore who was wise enough to recognized its value as an american classic. Painting over cracked and chipped gel coat moderated. The process, for someone who has never done a full restoration before, is a lot of fun and a ton. Im not sure if it hardened in the can but its never been opened so take a chance.
I am willing to help you but you will have to let me drill holes throughout. Whalercentral is dedicated to the exchange of boston whaler related information and photos. Ive repaired more than i want to think about and the proper way is to grind the cracks down to the glass usually with a dremol tool, and refill with marine grade filler or gel paste. Gelcoat and fiberglass repair of large missing areas boston whaler restoration part 6 1966 boston whaler restoration by jose nieto while grinding out a few larger cracks, i discovered that what i thought was a large crack on the bulkhead was actually a large chunk of fiberglass and gelcoat that had been glued back in. Classically, a whaler is characterized by a foamcored fiberglass hull often of modified vee cathedral hull form, with an outboard motor and center steering console. How to repair cracks and chips in damaged gelcoat duration. Whaler central boston whaler boat information and photos. Im about to start the restoration of my foot boston whaler boat. Small quantities of tinted gel coat which are close matches to the original colors used by boston whaler are available from several vendors as mentioned above. With over 250 store locations, 100,000 products in stock, and knowledgeable associates, trust west marine for your boating, sailing, fishing, or paddling needs. We had never seen a center console whaler before, and decided to go that route for better balance. Boston whaler gel coat restoration 1 crabcityproductions. Spider cracks are a form of fiberglass damage that occurs from minor flexing or impacts.
Boston whaler uses resins and gel coats that resist blistering. Here you can learn about what is needed to apply a gel coat. We pride ourselves on meticulous attention to detail and can work with you to restore your whaler to the level you desire. Apr 02, 2019 west marine is committed to outfitting your life on the water. We lit the underside of the seats with white led lighting. Its got a couple of cracks in the fiberglass, and gel coat, and water has seeped into the foam. Boston whaler unsinkable legend in a sail boat this is a very rare sailboat. Ok someone left acetone laid over on my 15 whaler and it left a huge spot exposing the fiberglass. Since the hull of a boston whaler is constructed in a unique and patented way, the factory has provided special instructions for making repairs to this structure. This gelcoat also has an added ultraviolet inhibitor to greatly slow fading and discoloration. I noticed a few large gel coat cracks, all in either the bow area or transom area. Jun 10, 2017 hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. Hello does anyone knows which gel coat color is this.
This boat is a project but it includes everything to put this back. Spectrum us marine f552229k boston whaler ash lvoc color. Boston whaler full restore from bare fiberglass gelcoat or paint or what while draining it in this way will remove some of the water, the foam wont drain and will still hold water for years, unless wet foam is removed there is no easy way to fix it. If so, mix approximately 1 part pigment to 20 parts gel coat. Boston whaler, 19721993, boat gel coat spectrum color find your boats gel coat match. Boston whaler full restore from bare fiberglass gelcoat or paint or what well, i havent started on the topside like said before, but a while ago, i attacked the rear underside a little bit, and after a garage full of dust, i realized i was doing it wrong.
Repairing hundreds of fiberglass cracks to get ready for. We have this awesome boat that just cannot take enough of a beating, but the gelcoat in some spots seems to craze, or spider web. Im planning to do a bit of gel coat repair on my 1982 montauk 17 and would like some input on how to match the desert tan color as close as. In addition, two areas often needing attention are the transom and the helm. Spectrum color boston whaler, 19982004, white color boat. Inspecting your boats finish cracking due to shoddy construction the stiffener, the squaresectioned part on the left, should have been laminated to the plywood frame it intersects. This is the perfect way to finish off your classic boston whaler boat restoration project. Applying a new finish of gel coat to the entire boat is a very expensive and labor intensive process. What resin, gel coat and color have work the best on the 1987 outrage. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boatlife. The repair technique recently rediscovered by l h g in the boston whaler literature sounds interesting. Chip size on bow smirk, rough spots on forward keel presumably from beaching. Once youre sure youre dealing with these types of cracks in the outer gel coat of the fiberglass, your fix can be limited to the fiberglass exterior. I have a 12 x 12 patch on my transom and small 14 gel coat pits to repair.
Boston whaler manufactures boats and cruisers in seven episodes in length from 3. I think the question, or topic even evolved to quality years of boston whaler manufacturing. How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks which plague countless boaters. This produce worked great to cover, perfect color, waxed right over, no problems.
You can trust the gel coat doctor to restore your whaler to showroom condition to get you back on the water and make your friends even more envious. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs. White gel coat, precolored gel coat, clear gel coat, neutral tintable gelcoats. For crazing fine, cosmetic hairline cracks like a spiderweb, the easiest method for refinishing is prepping the original gelcoat first. Spectrum color boston whaler, 19982004, white color boat gel coat patch paste repair kit. By the time they get sanded smooth, you run out of gel coat to sand. Save on spectrum color boston whaler, 19982004, white color boat gel coat at. This in the fourth gel coat scratch patch ive tried. Ridges in the gel coat these are the ridges left by the brush. Boston whaler full restore from bare fiberglass gelcoat or paint or what a couple of opinion related questions now. This premium marine grade gel coat may be as gecloat for boats, gelcoat for pools or many other applications. Im planning to do a bit of gel coat repair on my 1982 montauk 17 and would like some input on how to match the. Boston whaler is a brand of motorboat manufactured in the united states. Aug 10, 2016 home application of gel coat to restore the finish of a 1985 thirteen foot boston whaler super sport boat.
Theres a guy here who does wonderful restoration work of old wooden boats. Gel coat search sort by manufacturer, year, and basic color using the drop down filtershaving trouble. Services gel coat doctor make your boat beautiful again. Please take a few moments and view the gallery below to see how high and dry boatworks brought this boston whaler back to life. Boston whaler restoration projects public group facebook. I have a 1986 fiberglass chris craft that has scratches and small hairline cracks in the gel coat.
I dinna know a lot about those things, but free is free. Also, some laminate was missing from the original design, making it even more flexible in this location. I can deal with patching the fiberglass, but getting dry is the first step. Your boston whaler may be unsinkable, but it still needs a little tlc tender loving care now and then to retain its wellearned glory. Since 1968, west marine has grown to over 250 local stores, with knowledgeable associates happy to assist. Then spray about 4050 mils gelcoat and board sand that and polish with a da sander using 600 grit and 3m guid coat. I know this is a supra forum, but i thought some of you might like to see the last project we just completed. Cracks must be ground out prior to applying patch paste. If, however, the spider cracks appeared at an attachment point or in a highstress area, theres a good chance theyll simply return after you fix them. My son and i have started restoring a 1968 boston whaler footer i have owned since 1972. Boston whaler gel coat and gelcoat repair kit bloodydecks.
This is my first ever boat restoration, so i really am not an expert. Ok, would like to hear all suggestion on going about fixing all the gelcoat cracks in this whaler. Boston whaler full restore from bare fiberglass gelcoat or. Small cracks form in the outer surface of the fiberglass, spreading out from a central point like a spiderweb. Kept the designs in line with the classic whaler look. I am in the process of restoring a 1987 boston whaler 15footer. The time required for this job will obviously vary quite a bit depending on the number of cracks and how widespread they are, but should take no more than three hours per square foot of repair area. Boston whaler boat parts replacement parts for boston. We completed reconditioned the wood with 7 coats of epefanes varnish, complete buff and wax of hull and interior sky blue gel.
Cracks spreading out from the center, much as you would see in a spider web. There are so many reasons why gelcoat developes spider cracks. The doctor is a fiberglass specialist who removes annoying spider cracks, restores and repairs dents, dings, and chips even in flake metal finishes, and has an artists eye for color matching. If youve tried to repower an older whaler, you know how difficult it is to find short shaft outboards. Bad gel coats and the unsinkable foam between the hulls soaks up water if its exposed to water. Gelcoat crack and crazing repair moderated discussion areas.
Spectrum color gel coat repair kits in a variety of original boston whaler colors. These premium quality isophthalic npg gel coats are. Although it was a fairly easy conversion, it took a little more work than we had planned, to refinish it. Any bad gel coat cracks should be ground out and filled with evercoat formula 27, as should the gouges. Where the gel coat layer is too thick, as we often see in areas of a molded boat where it can easily accumulate such as corners or radii, the shrinking gel coat may create its own stress, resulting in cracks. Patch paste is the factory gel coat color made into an easytouse paste. Spider cracks, epoxy paint moderated discussion areas.
Home application of gel coat to restore the finish of a 1985 thirteen foot boston whaler super sport boat. Welcome to spectrum color the worlds leader in specialty. I would really like to get this fixed, so i would greatly appreciate any suggestions on how any of you would repair these. The gel paste will help fill large areas without sagging. Evercoat one step finish premium gelcoat uses a resilient, isophthalic polyester coating that does not require pva or other airinhibitors to cure to a hard surface. Find tips on how to clean and repair both the interior finishes and mechanics. Youve reached our boston whaler products page your index to the largest assortment of boston whaler replacement hardware material and finished original equipment parts. The one of the back right side of the boat is where the top of the transom has cracked a bit. Replacing the transom on a boston whaler 25 installing the new. He said hed be happy to restore my little fiberglass boat, as it would be a fun change of pace for his crew. Thanks to matt balogh and brian conroy from the antique boat center for sending us in this great restoration of a classic 1961 boston whaler that brian has worked on for 8 years. A restoration of the interior deck of a vintage boston whaler with crazing and cracking that needs repair. Restoring a classic boston whalerlearning adventure. All of those cracked areas will need to be sanded at least down to the glass and then resprayed.
Boston whaler has traditionally pre 2012 utilized seafoam color material. Boston whaler posted on may 11, 2015 by kristin boston whalers are like the ford f150 of boats. This instructable will hopefully serve as a guide for someone wanting to restore either a boston whaler or some kind of the many other similar boats. On newer models, boston whaler tests each available engine combination on the boat to determine a maximum engine weight for best performance and safety. The pigments can be intermixed to achieve various shades. Youll want to take care of any damage on the fiberglass first so you have a smooth surface to apply the gelcoat to. L h g is a master at refinishing gel coat, and if the technique is. Prep the area removing all of the damaged gel coat keep the repair as small as possible.
Serious fiberglass work, ft boston whaler restoration archive. Delamination fiberglass repair boston whaler restoration. This mixing ratio must be kept or the gel coat may not harden. This rig has all new whaler hardware thanks to specialty marine. Spider cracks in gelcoat moderated discussion areas.
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