Just noticed some damage to hull from last weeks Lake Trip. Need opinions on if this needs repairing now or it can wait.

[NewBoater]

Last week we truck took a trip to Lake Gaston. I’m not sure how this happened to the bottom of the boat as it looks like something that would happen from beaching but we did no beaching at all. The hull did not look like this before we left as I did a full acid hull Cleaning to remove yellowing and would have noticed this. The only thing I can think of is the dock that we stayed at the house that we rented had some rocks kind of close to where I was docking every time and it might have been scratching against it or the bottom of the ground. I didn’t feel like that was happening but I guess it is a possibility. I need to know from you guys how serious this damage is. We probably have another month or so of boating weather at home. Can I put regular old car wax over it for now or just do nothing at all? I’m hoping to get through the rest of the season and have it fixed or repaired professionally or possibly by me after the season if it can potentially wait. Please let me know how serious you guys think this is. There is also a small gouge/ding a little bit to the left of the main damage. Need to know if I can keep it in the lift and continue to use it for the rest of the season and if so if there’s anything I can do to help it from getting worse (wax?) Or if I need to get it to the closest ramp and get it out of the water and the lift ASAP?

Hopefully everything shows up good in the pictures. Thanks for any help.

 

[Wisefam22]

Add a keel guard and keep going

 

[Wisefam22]

The knick I'd fill with a white gel coat

 

[biglar155]

I'd be inclined to use it for now and get it fixed in the off-season.

 

[Dixie Highway]

That looks like worn off gelcoat, I’d be surprised if it was from rocks. Too smooth, almost like it was sanded off.

 

[NewBoater]

We beach the boat often when home and not at lake. Could the on off acid cleaning before we left for the lake have removed this gel coat? When I acid cleaned it it was white and perfect. The little ding may have been there can’t remember that for sure but I’m 100% certain this big major worn off area was not there before I acid cleaned it. I rinsed it very well with water after also.

Just thinking beaching it at home so many times in 3 years removed light parts of gel coat then acid cleaning removed it more so you could see all this damage? No clue just thinking outside the box.

 

[FLBulldogger]

Go to iboats or the spectrum color website they have GREAT tech support and will tell you exactly what color you need also they have great how to Videos but I agree with @Wisefam22 do the gel coat repair the nice thing is you don't have to finish the repair to make it pretty if you then put the keel guard on and all is good..post pics once you are done!

 

[NewBoater]

Thanks for the replies and ideas so far!

 

[galonuscct]

Someone took your boat out without your knowledge. No way you did that damage and didn't feel it.

 

[Elliott]

When you say acid, did it happen to be nitric or sulphuric instead of oxalic, citric or phosphoric? ?

 

[Ronnie]

I’d run it for the season as is, if the gouge is deep fill it with 3m 5200 and deal with the repair or concealment in the off season. Mostly likely, I’d throw a keel guard over it and consider it better than new.

FYI - I don’t Beach all the time but when i do i am glad that I have a keel guard rather than need it and not have it. Also I’ve never noticed any loss in performance related to the keel guard, if there is a difference it’s nothing to be concerned about. Lastly, if you have this professionally repaired the cost will be more than a keel guard at $20 per foot.

I hope it all works out easy and well for you.

 

[swatski]

We beach the boat often when home and not at lake. Could the on off acid cleaning before we left for the lake have removed this gel coat? When I acid cleaned it it was white and perfect. The little ding may have been there can’t remember that for sure but I’m 100% certain this big major worn off area was not there before I acid cleaned it. I rinsed it very well with water after also.

Just thinking beaching it at home so many times in 3 years removed light parts of gel coat then acid cleaning removed it more so you could see all this damage? No clue just thinking outside the box.

If you mean oxalic acid cleaner (like StarBright) than no worries, no damage to gel coat from that.
Also check this one for tips:

https://jetboaters.net/threads/i-need-some-gel-coat-assistance.13057/#post-227283

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[sethman919]

Looks like you found one of Gaston's shallow sandy spots at speed without realizing it.

 

[ZippyBoater]

Thanks for the replies and ideas so far!

What part of Lake Gaston were you in? Our place is in the NW quadrant and the water is pretty deep there and we have 3-4 feet of water at our dock and have to watch out for stumps. How deep was the water at the dock where you kept your boat while there? Did you use a lift or just let it float? Because of the way the lake is managed, the water levels can vary up to a foot throughout the day. There are shallow sandy spots in the lake, but you would have known you hit them.

 

[Marvin willis]

I’d run it for the season as is, if the gouge is deep fill it with 3m 5200 and deal with the repair or concealment in the off season. Mostly likely, I’d throw a keel guard over it and consider it better than new.

FYI - I don’t Beach all the time but when i do i am glad that I have a keel guard rather than need it and not have it. Also I’ve never noticed any loss in performance related to the keel guard, if there is a difference it’s nothing to be concerned about. Lastly, if you have this professionally repaired the cost will be more than a keel guard at $20 per foot.

I hope it all works out easy and well for you.

Did you caulk around the keel guard? I just put one on.

 

[Ronnie]

Just put it on per the instructions. They come with a limited lifetime warranty so follow the instructions and if it fails you should not have any problems getting a replacement free of charge, not even shipping. I’ve gotten two replacements over the years, in both instances I had to send them pics of the current guard / guard’s damage. I would not want them to see sealant not specified by their instructions.

 

[Marvin willis]

Just put it on per the instructions. They come with a limited lifetime warranty so follow the instructions and if it fails you should not have any problems getting a replacement free of charge, not even shipping. I’ve gotten two replacements over the years, in both instances I had to send them pics of the current guard / guard’s damage. I would not want them to see sealant not specified by their instructions.

The instructions said that u could use a sealant around the outside edge after installing it to completely seal it. Wasn’t sure if I should do that or not.

 

[Ronnie]

The instructions said that u could use a sealant around the outside edge after installing it to completely seal it. Wasn’t sure if I should do that or not.

I don’t think my instructions said that. The screen shot below is how my instructions read as I recall (plus I never got any sealant with the keelgaurds o purchased). I never put sealant on the outer perimeter and haven’t had any issues as a result. if I were to use sealant I’d go with something clear unless the guard and hull were white than 3m 4200 or 5200 outdoor be fine.

 

[Marvin willis]

Thank you. I feel better now.

 

[Seadeals]

Beaching without a keelguard can easily cause that. The small gouge was likely a rock that didn’t give when you “landed” one time. Lots of good advice already on how to fix it. I hate to say this; but folks, if you are going to do it on the beach, please use protection.