Re-Gel Coating hull

I am considering a re-Gel Coat job on our '63 Classic. Can anyone explain briefly the process, what the general cost could be and any shops that do it in the eastern Massachsetts area.

Thanks!

I had a marina give me a quote to re-gelcoat the hull about 13 years ago for $1,200. That was for the sides and bottom. So I decided to repaint it myself and the materials cost $173.

I think the paint will bridge the existing cracks, but the question is whether or not the cracks will redevelope through the new paint in short order. I do not have the answer unfortunately as I have only repaired the cracks with new gelcoat. When using gelcoat, the cracks must be sanded out or they will reappear in short order.

If you understand why the cracks are there, it may help you decide what to do if painting the hull. Gelcoat is hard and brittle, whereas paint is not. When the hull flexs excessively, the gelcoat cracks. If you put gelcoat over the crack, it will not crack again due to the thin application. However, paint may be flexible enough to resist this tendancy.

If the cracking is limited to relatively small areas, you could sound off the existing cracked gelcoat then use polyester body putty (aka Bondo) to fair out the surface prior to painting.

63 Classic,
I have a 64 Ski Nautique the is covered in spider cracks on the top and hull. This is the nature of this old gel coat. I talked to someone at Correct Craft while I was in Orlando last May. He told me the only way to re gel coat this boat is to take all of the gel coat off all the way to the fiberglass mat and then start with the gel coating process. He said he is in the process of doing this to his 64 Ski Nautique and would not suggest this job to anyone else. He said this has been a massive and expensive undertaking.

As for the paint, the cracks will show through. I asked him about using body filler on the top and hull and then paint. He said you will not get a good look that will last. If you did paint it, the cracks would hold wax if you ever waxed it at a later date.I talked to Reid Pinkman about this earlier this year. He has several of these boats from this era. HE said they call these boats 10 yarders. He said they look good from 10 yards away.