CONTINUOUSWAVE

GIve me suggestions for a [color matched gel coat patch kit for a 2018 170 MONTAUK that is said to have a hull color of Desert Tan].

My 2018 [170] Montauk has one-quarter-fingernail-sized chip on the bow below the rub rail. Friends have suggested I make the repair myself. The hull color is Desert Tan.

What is the basis for assertion that the hull color of you 2018 170 MONTAUK is Desert Tan?

Did you get that information from Boston Whaler customer support?


Instructions for use of hull patch repair kits from Boston Whaler are given in the REFERENCE section. See:

INSTRUCTIONS -- HULL PATCH KITS
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/refere ... tions.html

Generally when you buy a color-matched hull gel coat resin, it will come with instructions.

Generally a laminating type gel coat resin will not dry to a hard surface if left exposed to air. Repair patch kits usually contain gel coat resin with additives (usually wax) that will tend to rise to the surface and form a seal, allowing the gel coat to cure. If you do not get the proper gel coat resin with additives for curing in air, you will have to use another method to apply an air seal to the repair. The material Poly-vinyl Alcohol (PVA) is often used.

Other accounts of making minor repairs are given in these articles:

Repairing Hull Damage the Whaler Way
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/whalerRepair.html

and

The Epoxy Cure
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/refere ... epair.html

Both article discuss making gel coat surface repairs.

Spectrum Color should have a patch paste gel. Is your boat white or tan?

Thank you both for the tips.

The basis of determining the hull color to be Desert Tan was my recollection from my purchase and using the build-a-boat tool on Whaler website. The hull is white with a tan ring around the top above the waterline.

Have you looked on spectrum's website?

Given that Whaler offers colored gelcoat as an option, I would ask the dealer if they have the repair kits.

I am sure dealers have to repair boats (pre-sale check) from time to time.

Locktite Marine Epoxy in white dries to a very close match to the classic desert tan. You might try a test of that first since it is relatively inexpensive compared to the gelcoat repair kit.

After seeing the damage, I emend my recommendation for a remedy: go to the women's cosmetics department at Macy's. Look for fingernail polish in an off-white. Buy one bottle. Apply one dab. Repair done.

Perfect. Full disclosure-- I'm getting back into boating for the first time since owning a Dyer Dinghy as a kid. I wasn't sure whether the chip was something I should worry about fixing. Thank you all for the input.