How much do I need to do on a bottom job?

Using my COVID time productively and want to work on the hulls of my 1988 16. They are pretty worn on the bottom but I don't feel any fibers or soft spots. Can I get away with just gelcoating? What product would you recommend for that? Thanks!

[img]imgur.com/a/YnRMuBM[/img]

Feel the shape. If it starts to feel concave... time for glass. If just gel worn off... don't bother. When it starts getting concave it is an indicator of thin glass.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

The guy at West Marine sold me on this stuff:

http://www.pettitpaint.com/products/epo ... s/ez-fair/

It is easy to apply and shape. Darn durable too.

No sense spending all that effort on glass and gel. It is a "beach cat" after all...the bottoms of the hulls are going to wear as part of their regular and routine use.

_________________
Blue Hawaii
77707
Angola-on-the-Lake, NY

So don't bother until I wear it down enough to do fiberglass and gelcoat?

Correct. Gel Coat is relatively soft and wears off more easily. That is only cosmetic. The glass is way more durable.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

You can use the hull template from the following link:

https://static.hobiecat.com/2010_archive/support/images/tech/hulltemplate.jpg?_ga=2.200418152.774548590.1586875069-2125217696.1586273199

With a copy machine you can adjust the +/- % size adjustment until it matches the scale at the top of page. Trace it onto something that is more rigid and then cut out the template.

_________________
Tim
84 H16
82 H16
87 H14T
Tortola Sails: 115222
Blue Prism Sails: 88863
Clearwater, FL