Can you see fibreglass through the gelcoat on your keel?
Rollers, bunks and a bad retrieve take chunks out of the keel and strakes. It looks cosmetic. Under the waterline, it isn't.
Clear price in writing before we start. Nothing goes ahead without your OK.
Sound familiar?
- Scrapes or gouges along the keel line or strakes
- White or grey fibreglass showing where the gelcoat used to be
- Chips at the bow from the winch post or the first roller
- Water in the bilge after a run, and you can't find where from
What it really means
Gelcoat is the waterproof skin on your boat. Once a gouge goes through it, the fibreglass underneath soaks up water every time the boat goes in. You can't see it happening, and it gets worse every season.
Osmosis starts
Water in the fibreglass is how osmosis blisters begin. Once it spreads, it's a much bigger job to fix.
It leaks
A deep gouge or a puncture can let water into the hull and the foam. Wet foam is heavy and doesn't dry out.
It costs more every season
A gouge fixed now is a small job. Left for a few seasons, it can turn into a bottom repair.
How we fix it
We grind the damage back to clean, sound fibreglass and check how deep it goes.
Where the fibreglass is damaged, we laminate new glass back in so it's as strong as it was.
We fair it smooth to the shape of the hull.
Then it's sealed with gelcoat, or a barrier coat and antifoul if the boat lives in the water, so it's watertight again.
Why people bring it to us
"I needed a small repair on my boat. They took care of it no problem for a reasonable price."
"Very knowledgeable and approachable. He fit me in at fairly short notice and was flexible when the job expanded. The craftsmanship was excellent."
Straight answers
How much will it cost?
Send us a few photos of the damage and the whole keel for a guide price. Then bring it around and we'll give you a firm price in writing before any work starts.
Can I just fill it myself?
A filler patch over wet or damaged glass usually lets go and traps the water in. It needs to be ground back to sound glass first. If it's small and dry we'll tell you.
Will it match?
We colour-match the gelcoat. On older, faded boats we'll tell you up front how close we can get.
Should I check the trailer?
Yes. If the rollers or bunks did it once, they'll do it again. We'll tell you what we see when the boat comes in.
Send us photos for a guide price
- 1. Send photos. Fill in the form and attach 3 or 4 photos, or text them to 0429 062 114 or email info@theisc.com.au. One close up, one of the whole area.
- 2. Get a guide price. Sam looks at the photos and comes back to you.
- 3. Bring it around. We take a proper look and give you a firm price in writing. Nothing goes ahead without your OK.
We're not the cheapest on the coast, and we don't try to be. We do it properly and stand behind it for 12 months.