Ribeye S650 minor hull damage on launch/recovery.

[BrAinZ]

We've launched/recovered our new Ribeye S650 about 7-8 times now, mostly without incident.

A few weeks ago we noticed that after one trip out we had a couple of small chips in the gelcoat on the very bottom of the hull, and another on one of the chines along the side.

Couldn't work out what it had managed to catch against, but just hoped that it was a one-off incident.
Unfortunately, after the last time we were out, we noticed another three chips along the chine on the right hand side of the hull, close to where the previous damage occurred.

Has anyone any experience of this, or any ideas what might be causing the damage. We are very careful when both launching and recovering and there's nothing obvious that we can recall.

Also.. I've got some Plastic Padding "Marine Filler" and also "Gelcoat Filler". Which is the best one to use for such small chips?

I've attached a photo to hopefully help show where the damage has occurred.

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by BrAinZ

We've launched/recovered our new Ribeye S650 about 7-8 times now, mostly without incident.

A few weeks ago we noticed that after one trip out we had a couple of small chips in the gelcoat on the very bottom of the hull, and another on one of the chines along the side.

Couldn't work out what it had managed to catch against, but just hoped that it was a one-off incident.
Unfortunately, after the last time we were out, we noticed another three chips along the chine on the right hand side of the hull, close to where the previous damage occurred.

Has anyone any experience of this, or any ideas what might be causing the damage. We are very careful when both launching and recovering and there's nothing obvious that we can recall.

Also.. I've got some Plastic Padding "Marine Filler" and also "Gelcoat Filler". Which is the best one to use for such small chips?

I've attached a photo to hopefully help show where the damage has occurred.

Hard to tell without a better look, a possible explanation maybe air voids on the rails - saw a Zodiac with this recently - it was riddled! either that or your rollers have had a bite out of your hull! Gelcoat filler sounds like the one to use - make sure it's dried out properly and take a little dremel or something to grind out the hole for filling first.

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by Cookee

Hard to tell without a better look, a possible explanation maybe air voids on the rails

Looks a bit like that to me too bummer

[neilda]

Sorry you've got a couple of nicks - can they be left unrepaired or does further damage result?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by BrAinZ

Also.. I've got some Plastic Padding "Marine Filler" and also "Gelcoat Filler". Which is the best one to use for such small chips?

I have used the plastic padding filler that is for gelcoat repair (assume its the same stuff one large tube and one little tube of hardner)

Once you have filled the chips just use some sandpaper to smooth ou the repair and then if you use some very fine wet and dry (1200 min pref 2000) use it wet and you will bring back the shine.

THe repair I did was a gash near the bow eye on my previous rib and you would never know it had happened.

[Jizm]

I too have used the plastic padding stuff and achieved good results using the method described.

[9D280]

1200+grade wet'n'dry

Be glad your hull is white........

[Polwart]

If these are "air bubbles" on a new hull would people see that as normal - or the responsibility of the manufacturer to put right? Would you at least keep them informed so that if it turns out to be riddled with them you don't have any "well you fixed the first ones yourself" type objection from them?

[Bigmuz7]

Yes .. good point Sir

[captnjack]

I would guess those gelcoat chips are coming from the edge of the aft rollers. Gelcoat has no real strength and that chine is pretty sharp. You could switch from rollers to bunks, that might solve the issue. I am guessing patching with more gelcoat will just lead to more chips next year. An epoxy filler might provide more strength against the roller edge.