CONTINUOUSWAVE

I recently bought a 1989 Montauk 17 with big scars on the keel.


Is repair a do-it-yourself project?

Or, should I take the boat to a professional for repair?

I hope no water has seeped in over the years. Other [than the damage to the keel the boat] is looking great. Thanks for all the advice on here.

This is referred to as keel rash.

It can be repaired as a DIY. I have made the repair on a Montauk 17 and an Outrage 17.

One all-in-one product is Marine Tex.
https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/products/marine-tex-jr-kit-white-2-ounce-kit-32267.html

Mix the product, apply using both a wide and narrow plastic putty knife following the existing contours. When finished, apply plastic film (i.e. Saran Wrap) to get a smooth finish.

Phil thanks! Ordering now.

I have had great success with WEST System epoxy repair kits, particularly for repairs below the waterline. WEST System epoxy repair kits are more versatile and can perform many more useful repairs than a pre-mixed putty.

https://www.westsystem.com/fiberglass-boat-repair-kit/

See a demonstration at

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eggAzL9oQxg

Your Boston Whaler hull has many deep scratches, probably caused in loading the boat on the trailer improperly. You should repair the trailer so it will no longer damage the hull during loading or travel on the highway. If you don't fix whatever has been gouging those deep scratches before you begin to repair the scratches, the hull will soon be deeply scratched anew.

The hull also appears to be discolored from immersion in water and appears to have no barrier coat. You need to thoroughly clean the hull before beginning repairs to the laminate and gel coat. If you begin sanding dirty gel coat you just infuse dirt into the repair area.

I would not trust repairs made with a pre-mixed putty and catalyzed resin to be sufficiently well-adhered and waterproof for work below the water line as will be needed in this case.

You may find my lengthy and detailed narrative of repairs with epoxy and gel coat resins to be informative. See

THE EPOXY CURE
http://continuouswave.com/maintenance-logs/epoxy/

If you plan to leave the boat in the water for more than a few days at a time, read the owner's manual for advice on how to protect the hull. See

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/refere ... nance.html

It is very likely that as soon as you begin to grind out the damage that needs to be repaired, the repair area will grow in size and become too large to be effectively repaired with just a small amount of a pre-mixed putty compound. Thick application of a putty without laminates and thinner resins will make a weak and brittle repair.

I also recommend you read this article:

REPAIRING HULL DAMAGE THE WHALER WAY
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/refere ... epair.html

For advice on hul repairs from Boston Whaler, read this article
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/refere ... tions.html

You will note that in none of these articles are repairs made with a pre-mixed putty catalyzed with a small amount of additive to create curing.

Jim,
Thank you so much for all the advice. After reading through this and not having a good way to get it Do nedo it properly I took it to a Boston whaler specialist. I will send pictures when it’s done you guys are admirable

I don't think repair is beyond the scope of your talent, assuming you are reasonably handy. Because all the damage is below the water line, you will only see it when the boat is on the trailer. The repairs do not have to be cosmetically perfect, and you don't need to have color matched gel coat.

Got her back- here is how it looks now!

Need a close up of your work. !! :-)

Wow! That was a quick turnaround. Congrats!