I'd opt for gelcoat repair as there some reknown gelcoat repair
'artists' who can match gelgoat to perfection even the beige and gun
metal gels. Seek out the 'best' or most reknown 'artist' .... usually
one that can spray-on the repair. I'd 'negotiate' with the insurance
co. etc. that they would be responsible if the repair wasnt
satisfactory for a time term AFTER the date of the repair that THEY
would be responsible for also the future repair ... I'd include that
within the acceptance of the claim. If in future the new gel does
change hue then its still an easy task to respray gel back to the
proper color ... and well blended into the original gel.

Painting leads to more problems that ultimately result in painting and
repainting in the future as there is NO topside paint that will hold up
to constant immersion .... especially on a boat like yours that may be
heeled over for days or weeks on a single tack. If you do elect to
have the boat painted do include the attachment to the contractural
agreement that the boat can be heeled over for long periods .... and
the paint will not 'lift' due to immersion or high internal humidity of
the underlying substrate.

Gelcoat is safe for longterm immersion; and, thats why for myself I'd
suffer the slight cosmetic color etc, shift over time rather than being
pretty sure that I'd have to paint and paint and paint in the future.
If a boat's topsides are painted (its in the fine print of all high
tech topside paint manuals) the boat cant be shrinkwrapped or put into
extremely high humidity situations or your risk 'adhesion problems'
..... look at the tech manuals that verbiage is there. Excuse me,
boating IS a high humidity venue.

A 'good' gelcoat 'artist' usually can come very close in hue and
surface sheen when repairing gel, etc. Seek recommendations before you
choose one.

Just my opinion.


In article , Evan Gatehouse2
wrote:

My boat got banged up. Innocently tied up to the dock and the boat
immediately upwind broke free in a wind storm and bashed both bows a
bit (it's a cat) and really busted up the fwd. crossbeam.

I've called my insurance company, they sent a surveyor, and the other
guy is insured too. I'm not sure which insurance company is going to
be paying for it yet but I'm wondering about repairing the bows.

My agent said they usually paint the whole hull if the damage is
significant (it is; see pictures he www.maiaaboard.blogspot.com)

The same insurance company surveyor I spoke with (after he saw the
damage) said that in an older boat like ours that the usual practice
is to just paint/gelcoat the damaged area. I wasn't wild about that
because it's very hard to colour match faded gelcoat. His explanation
was if they painted the whole hulls it would "leave the boat better
than it was before the accident".

The wording of my policy is somewhat vague as to how repairs are to be
made - generally it says repairs will be made according to generally
accepted shipyard practice or in consultation with the boat builder.

Any thoughts on colour matching gelcoat? I also spoke to the surveyor
who originally surveyed my boat. He said it can be done but in 5
years the differential fading will make it obvious that a repair has
been made. Do I have a leg to stand on if I insist they paint the
whole hulls?

Thanks,

Evan Gatehouse