Question:
I recently put a small (quarter size) chip on the bottom portion of the hull of
my GP1200R (does not leak). I got an estimate for $250 for the repair from a
local boat repair shop. Home Depot, as well as other boat supply stores, sell
a fiberglass repair kit. Should I do it myself? If so, can anyone recommend a
particlar repair kit?
Answer:
-If I'm not mistaken, that hull is SMC and not fiberglass (wish it was). There are
special materials for repairing SMC and they are NOT the same as for repairing
fiberglass. Both Yamaha and Polaris sell a repair kit and I would recommend that
over a FG repair. The FG repair will hold, for a while, but will eventually
separate from the SMC material, especially on a hull bottom. If the chip is not
particularly deep, I don't know that I would even both fixing it - it won't be your
last one and the ski will actually run a little faster with a slightly rougher
bottom than perfectly smooth (one of the engineering types will have to answer why,
I only know it does). If it is deep and/or in the high speed planing surface, then
you should probably go ahead and repair it.
-Check this site out:
www.fiberlay.com
I was told by John at Blowsion to check them out. I spoke with one of the
people there and he said to use an epoxy resin instead of a fiberglass
resin. They have some areas that talk about what to do and how to make
repairs.
-Probably meant to say epoxy resin instead of polyester resin. I'm sure
no expert but my understanding is that a polyester release agent is part
of the original smc sheeting and each time you sand an area for repair,
some of this agent is exposed and will prevent proper bonding with the
polyester resin. Supposedly the epoxy resin is unaffected.
