Hull Repair

[umecheme]

So I finished my hull repair, sanded down the keel area, filled and epoxied new glass over the section of the keel where the PO had been beaching.  Now that the repair is finished, what's my best option?  I'll sand it down and do a little bit of fairing, but should I gelcoat over the repair?  I know I'm not supposed to use topside paint below the water line, but what if i'm going to be bottom painting over it?  Thoughts?  I'm reading up on it now, but haven't found a great answer.

Thanks, in advance!

-Mike

[RickK]

Will it live on a trailer?

[umecheme]

Its possible that it could end up on a mooring for a couple weeks a year....

[wingnut]

Epoxy barrier coat (the gray stuff) followed by bottom paint would be a good option... I don't know that there's any reason to go down the cosmetic gelcoat route if you're going to bottom paint for aesthetics anyway. Barrier coat not a bad idea but might not even be necessary in your application. Glad to hear you're making progress!

[RickK]

Here is what I did to my 170
https://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=10101.msg129891#msg129891

[msteinkampf]

Wingnut's suggestion sounds good. If you're going to be beaching the boat, I would install a KeelGuard (https://keelguard.com/product/keel-guard/). I've had one on my Boston Whaler Montauk 17 for a decade, and it's holding up pretty well. Lifetime warranty, too.

M

[umecheme]

Not many beaches here... The only dry spot I hope to encounter is the trailer!

[Mwar410]

I wish I had a picture of the “beach I was on Monday, 50’ granite ledge that we had to land on.

[wingnut]

Yes, and if you find a small pocket of sand, you still don't beach on it... The rocks hide way too well in sand and seaweed! 12'+ tides will strand you quick too.

[umecheme]

20' tides here... you'd be HIGH and DRY for a while!