Should I use my RIB?

[andyjcox1]

Hi all,

I have just bought a 6m RIB, and while it is sound it has a few pea sized holes in the Gel Coat, down to the fiberglass, which are below the waterline. Until I get them fixed, do you think using it will cause any further damage due to water ingress in to the fiberglass/gelcoat, or should it be OK. I won't be leaving it in the water, so I'm hoping I can get out and play on it sooner rather than later.

Cheers, Andy

[whisper]

You don't want to get sea water in the mat, for a quick fix you can use gelcoat filler, but a proper job is thin layers of gelcoat followed by a final coat of flowcoat.

What colour is it?

[andyjcox1]

Thanks Whisper, I should hold off then for the sake of not causing issues to the matting. Gutted, as the gelcoat guy quoted 2 weeks before he can get to it.

[Dhf]

This is a job you could do yourself, and get out the next day, If you get one of those diy gel coat packs, just give the small area's a clean out and apply your mix, you could make a little practice mix first, only add a very small amount of hardener/catalist 2or3% in this warm weather.

[ShinyShoe]

Single layer of flowcoat in the chips would waterproof it if you aren't up to doing a final job, then take it to you gel coat man in 2 weeks and he can do the final job.

[andyjcox1]

Thanks for the info, I chose not to go out, and there is someone coming to fix it this week. I know I won't be happy with it if I did it myself. Can't wait to get out on it now.

[Hightower]

I would invest in a Dremmel type tool with a round cutting head and clean each little hole out leaving a slight undercut on each hole to act as a key. Most marine stores sell Plastic Padding Gel coat repairer which is a small tube of two pack epoxy filler in white. Follow the instructions in mixing it and it cures in an hour to allow you to sand it down.

If you ever repaired old cars years ago you'll find this a doddle