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Author Topic:   Hull Sanding

66Whaler posted 04-01-2003 01:00 PM ET (US)
Our 66 Sakonnet hull is trashed... gelcoat has deep spider cracks and gelcoat can be peeled by hand in some areas... what is the best way to sand an entire hull? Can it be sand blasted, or are belt sanders the way to go? Once sanded where should I go for bottom paint advise?
Bigshot posted 04-01-2003 01:33 PM ET (US)
Bottom or topside? If bottom i would use an obital and be very careful on depth, sandblasting may be a better option. Topside would have to be done VERY carefully due to curves and probably done by hand.
mbenotti posted 04-01-2003 03:02 PM ET (US)
I had the same thing last year when I bought my '59 13-ft. I used a belt sander on the exterior. The deep cracks I filled in with West System epoxy (mixed with their low density filler). When most of the gelcoat was removed (or at least smoothed), I used paint rollers and applied 3 coats of epoxy (doing a wet-sand in between each coat). I painted the exterior with topside paint as I keep it on a trailer. I have heard that gelcoat is a pain to work with. I was happy with the way the paint job came out.
66Whaler posted 04-01-2003 04:54 PM ET (US)
Bottom Side... it's in just aweful shape... it's been sitting in the water for most of it's life we dry-docked her one winter... and just this winter we picked up a trailer for her (BW suggested what I think is the wrong trailer not a single keel roller)... there are places where I think I can see the fiberglass, and the entire hull (bottom side only) is cracked very deep.. most likely all of the way through the gel coat to the fiber... top side is in good shape.. and I just recently gutted her... original steering is shot... and throttle cables are gone... console is 99% sanded and seat is about 50% varnished (up to 10 coats on some stuff)... I'm figuring that a complete hull re-gelcoat is going to cost prohibitive... so can I just paint the fiber? Hopefully she is going to see the gulf for her first time in the next couple of years..!
Bigshot posted 04-02-2003 10:26 AM ET (US)
Paint is fine. Good marine paint that is.
mikefitz posted 04-13-2003 08:26 AM ET (US)
I'm in the process of a restoration of a 1980' 17' sport which I am refitting into a Montauk.
My hull was in similar condition to yours - as much as I wanted to save the gel-kote it was just trashed.
I have some gained some experience with both west-systems epoxies and, awl-grip boat paints (US paints).
Each are a little tricky - if you want to tackle the job yourself you will be quite proficient by the time you finish.
You will sand the hull for many, many, hours - over and over again until you get a like-new surface.
I recommend PYacht for the awl-grip products, their prices are best, and service is outstanding. The US paint site (attached) has all tech info you will require to use awl-grip products; in addition to anyone local who has used them before and can lay eyes on your hull.
Most boat yards nearby me in Marblehead MA use awl grip systems.
So, generally the steps are -
1) clean the hull and remove any wax residue - there may still be some from the original mould
2) sand the entire surface typically with 100 grit sandpaper, grind away rough areas, gouge all cracks and get all loose gel and glass off - I removed the bottom paint as well
3) repair and fill with epoxy products - I would discourage any polyester fillers no matter how easy they seem - they will ultimately shrink
4) finish with awl-grip systems

US Paint (Awl-Grip)
http://www.uspaint.com/
West Systems
http://www.westsystem.com/
Performance Yacht Systems
222 Severn Avenue
Annapolis, MD 21403
http://www.pyacht.com
I am currently priming my hull (hell) and will be starting the top coating in the next week.
I spent last summer sanding an filling and drying the hull. It looks almost new at this point.
Good luck.
Mike

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Author	Topic: Hull Sanding
66Whaler	posted 04-01-2003 01:00 PM ET (US) Our 66 Sakonnet hull is trashed... gelcoat has deep spider cracks and gelcoat can be peeled by hand in some areas... what is the best way to sand an entire hull? Can it be sand blasted, or are belt sanders the way to go? Once sanded where should I go for bottom paint advise?
Bigshot	posted 04-01-2003 01:33 PM ET (US) Bottom or topside? If bottom i would use an obital and be very careful on depth, sandblasting may be a better option. Topside would have to be done VERY carefully due to curves and probably done by hand.
mbenotti	posted 04-01-2003 03:02 PM ET (US) I had the same thing last year when I bought my '59 13-ft. I used a belt sander on the exterior. The deep cracks I filled in with West System epoxy (mixed with their low density filler). When most of the gelcoat was removed (or at least smoothed), I used paint rollers and applied 3 coats of epoxy (doing a wet-sand in between each coat). I painted the exterior with topside paint as I keep it on a trailer. I have heard that gelcoat is a pain to work with. I was happy with the way the paint job came out.
66Whaler	posted 04-01-2003 04:54 PM ET (US) Bottom Side... it's in just aweful shape... it's been sitting in the water for most of it's life we dry-docked her one winter... and just this winter we picked up a trailer for her (BW suggested what I think is the wrong trailer not a single keel roller)... there are places where I think I can see the fiberglass, and the entire hull (bottom side only) is cracked very deep.. most likely all of the way through the gel coat to the fiber... top side is in good shape.. and I just recently gutted her... original steering is shot... and throttle cables are gone... console is 99% sanded and seat is about 50% varnished (up to 10 coats on some stuff)... I'm figuring that a complete hull re-gelcoat is going to cost prohibitive... so can I just paint the fiber? Hopefully she is going to see the gulf for her first time in the next couple of years..!
Bigshot	posted 04-02-2003 10:26 AM ET (US) Paint is fine. Good marine paint that is.
mikefitz	posted 04-13-2003 08:26 AM ET (US) I'm in the process of a restoration of a 1980' 17' sport which I am refitting into a Montauk. My hull was in similar condition to yours - as much as I wanted to save the gel-kote it was just trashed. I have some gained some experience with both west-systems epoxies and, awl-grip boat paints (US paints). Each are a little tricky - if you want to tackle the job yourself you will be quite proficient by the time you finish. You will sand the hull for many, many, hours - over and over again until you get a like-new surface. I recommend PYacht for the awl-grip products, their prices are best, and service is outstanding. The US paint site (attached) has all tech info you will require to use awl-grip products; in addition to anyone local who has used them before and can lay eyes on your hull. Most boat yards nearby me in Marblehead MA use awl grip systems. So, generally the steps are - 1) clean the hull and remove any wax residue - there may still be some from the original mould 2) sand the entire surface typically with 100 grit sandpaper, grind away rough areas, gouge all cracks and get all loose gel and glass off - I removed the bottom paint as well 3) repair and fill with epoxy products - I would discourage any polyester fillers no matter how easy they seem - they will ultimately shrink 4) finish with awl-grip systems US Paint (Awl-Grip) http://www.uspaint.com/ West Systems http://www.westsystem.com/ Performance Yacht Systems 222 Severn Avenue Annapolis, MD 21403 http://www.pyacht.com I am currently priming my hull (hell) and will be starting the top coating in the next week. I spent last summer sanding an filling and drying the hull. It looks almost new at this point. Good luck. Mike