Minor repairs

[Jaycb]

My Dart has a few nicks and scrapes, mostly on the keels and the noses, which I'm planning to tidy up with some "Ding-stick"; I'm confident this will work OK as I've used it on windsurf boards in the past and achieved a good finish.
However, I noticed yesterday that there was some minor "peeling" of what I assume is the gelcoat layer, around the rudder mounting pin at the stern of one hull. I'm not sure how to approach this but would like to do something about it before it gets worse.
Any suggestions?

[Bob Carter]

Hi Jas,
I'm not familiar with Ding- Stick but the key thing is to seal the surface of the boat to prevent the fibre glass strands taking in moisture. Most of us use gelcoat to do this, which you can get from most chandlers. You need to do the transom around the rudder pintel too. Scrape off the loose stuff, dry it out and apply the gel coat. This is best done when it is a bit warmer.
Meanwhile keep it dry by putting on duck tape.
Cheers
Bob

[Jaycb]

Thanks Bob. Ding-stick does indeed seal the surface - we use it on boards for this reason. One can achieve an excellent glossy finish by sanding with very fine wet & dry paper and finally Brasso.

For the transom I will take your advice - can you recommend a gel-coat product that doesn't have to be purchased in large quantities please?

[George Love]

Jacyb - if you are a new member to the Association - may I ask? - have you had a class magazine? If not, and you would like one, let me have your postal details, I'll make sure there's one in the post
E-mail: newsletter@sprint15.com

[Bob Carter]

Hi Jas
The gelcoat is available in a tube from most chandlers - sorry I cannot remember the name of the brand. The disadvantage is it only come in very bright white. The older boats tend to be Pearl grey.
I do not know a very good way of dealing with this. Boat builders/ repairers such as Steve Sawford mix up their own colours.
Cheers
Bob

[Charles]

Jaycb

Re Gel Coat colour, I've just got some silver grey from Steve at a very reasonable price, contact details on the suppliers page of this site.

If you tell him the number of your boat & style name (see Buy & Sell, Price Guide on this site) he'll know what colour it is.

The grey's are very subtle, I didn't realise mine was grey until I patched it up with white gel coat ! As with even white boats the white discolours over time & at a different rate to any patches, so a perfect match is difficult.

[Steve Sawford]

Hi Jaycb,

The board repair kits are usualy epoxy resin and it is best to use polyester resin and gelcoat to repair Darts.
If I can help give me a call 01536 330477

Steve Sawford