'83 15 Center Console Gunwale/Rail repair - Moderated Discussion Areas

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Author Topic:   '83 15 Center Console Gunwale/Rail repair

Ranger Rick posted 01-29-2004 04:58 PM ET (US)
Hey guys, I've lurked in the forums for some time now and have got to say that you are all just amazing wealths of information on all things Whaler!
I recently bought a 15 Center Console, title says it's an '83, but according to the reference section of this site it wasn't produced until '84. No matter, my question is: The flat/horizontal rail/top of the gunwale was apparently hit by a heavy object some time in the past, and the impact produced a "starburst" crack in the gelcoat surface. This crack has apparently allowed moisture to get in over the years and now there is a small 'soft' spot under the starburst. What would you reccommend as the best/easiest way to repair this defect while keeping the patch as aesthetically pleasing as possible?
The boat was left in the water in a lake for a long time and is consequently very weathered with a lot of spider-cracking in the decking, but nothing that has allowed water to get to the foam. I'm also looking for a good way to fill in all the spider-cracking in the decking, if anyone has any ideas I would greatly appreciate them. I plan on taking pictures of the old girl soon and will try to document my restoration of her stunning good looks.
Thanks!
~Rick
jameso posted 01-30-2004 08:46 AM ET (US)
Rickster,
Lots of ways to repair,,depends on your time and money and how nice you want the area to look. Do a search of this site for gelcoat and other repairs. It's all here just got to look. Enjoy the 15, a great ride.
Jim Armstrong
Ranger Rick posted 01-30-2004 09:14 AM ET (US)
Hey James, thanks for the reply. I've searched the site and you're right, there's tons of related material here, I've found some good suggestions so far, will keep digging around, I was just hoping for a quick suggestion on the gunwale problem from someone who might have had the same or similar problem.
I want the repairs to look nice, I'd eventually like to get her looking tip-top so I'm going to take my time with her and do things right. Keeping the pace slow also means I won't have to come up with huge chunks of cash all at once, a bonus when you're a law student on a budget. ;)
Again, thanks for the advice, this forum is the best.
~Rick
Bigshot posted 01-30-2004 02:19 PM ET (US)
Hmmmm....I sold my 1983 15CC to a guy in Panama or Talahasse about 5 years ago.
jameso posted 01-30-2004 03:55 PM ET (US)
So the Bigone and Rickster could be Whaler in laws?
Ranger Rick posted 01-30-2004 09:01 PM ET (US)
"So the Bigone and Rickster could be Whaler in laws?"
Heh, now wouldn't *that* be interesting! I'm a firm believer in the whole "small world" phenomenon, it wouldn't surprise me at all to learn Biggie and I are "Whaler in laws".
~Rick
Bigshot posted 01-31-2004 10:37 AM ET (US)
I could spot her in a second. She "had" bottom paint, bow and wrap around rails, filled holes where the old Merc with thumb screws was mounted, white bench seat and backrest but varnished front hatch and a bunch of small chips in the gel under the bow on the starboard side where it looks like she banged up and down on a metal rod about 50 times. Paint can be removed, etc but I doubt anyone would have messed with the chips being you could not see them in plain sight.

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Author	Topic: '83 15 Center Console Gunwale/Rail repair
Ranger Rick	posted 01-29-2004 04:58 PM ET (US) Hey guys, I've lurked in the forums for some time now and have got to say that you are all just amazing wealths of information on all things Whaler! I recently bought a 15 Center Console, title says it's an '83, but according to the reference section of this site it wasn't produced until '84. No matter, my question is: The flat/horizontal rail/top of the gunwale was apparently hit by a heavy object some time in the past, and the impact produced a "starburst" crack in the gelcoat surface. This crack has apparently allowed moisture to get in over the years and now there is a small 'soft' spot under the starburst. What would you reccommend as the best/easiest way to repair this defect while keeping the patch as aesthetically pleasing as possible? The boat was left in the water in a lake for a long time and is consequently very weathered with a lot of spider-cracking in the decking, but nothing that has allowed water to get to the foam. I'm also looking for a good way to fill in all the spider-cracking in the decking, if anyone has any ideas I would greatly appreciate them. I plan on taking pictures of the old girl soon and will try to document my restoration of her stunning good looks. Thanks! ~Rick
jameso	posted 01-30-2004 08:46 AM ET (US) Rickster, Lots of ways to repair,,depends on your time and money and how nice you want the area to look. Do a search of this site for gelcoat and other repairs. It's all here just got to look. Enjoy the 15, a great ride. Jim Armstrong
Ranger Rick	posted 01-30-2004 09:14 AM ET (US) Hey James, thanks for the reply. I've searched the site and you're right, there's tons of related material here, I've found some good suggestions so far, will keep digging around, I was just hoping for a quick suggestion on the gunwale problem from someone who might have had the same or similar problem. I want the repairs to look nice, I'd eventually like to get her looking tip-top so I'm going to take my time with her and do things right. Keeping the pace slow also means I won't have to come up with huge chunks of cash all at once, a bonus when you're a law student on a budget. ;) Again, thanks for the advice, this forum is the best. ~Rick
Bigshot	posted 01-30-2004 02:19 PM ET (US) Hmmmm....I sold my 1983 15CC to a guy in Panama or Talahasse about 5 years ago.
jameso	posted 01-30-2004 03:55 PM ET (US) So the Bigone and Rickster could be Whaler in laws?
Ranger Rick	posted 01-30-2004 09:01 PM ET (US) "So the Bigone and Rickster could be Whaler in laws?" Heh, now wouldn't that be interesting! I'm a firm believer in the whole "small world" phenomenon, it wouldn't surprise me at all to learn Biggie and I are "Whaler in laws". ~Rick
Bigshot	posted 01-31-2004 10:37 AM ET (US) I could spot her in a second. She "had" bottom paint, bow and wrap around rails, filled holes where the old Merc with thumb screws was mounted, white bench seat and backrest but varnished front hatch and a bunch of small chips in the gel under the bow on the starboard side where it looks like she banged up and down on a metal rod about 50 times. Paint can be removed, etc but I doubt anyone would have messed with the chips being you could not see them in plain sight.