Gelcoat and paint take the worst of a South Florida year. Sun, salt and heat break down finish, and once water finds its way into a crack or a chip it starts working on what is underneath. A dock rash left through a summer stops being cosmetic.
We coordinate paint and fiberglass work through specialists we have used repeatedly and trust with finish work. They carry out and stand behind their own work. We manage the job, prepare the boat and keep it moving.
What we do
At the cosmetic end it is gelcoat: chips, scratches, dock rash and stress cracks repaired and color matched. On an older hull the matching is the skill that separates an invisible repair from an obvious one. Anything structural gets assessed first, though. Delamination, soft spots and impact damage are dealt with properly before anything cosmetic goes over the top, because covering a structural problem with finish is how small jobs become big ones.
When correction is no longer enough we refinish, full or partial, in Awlgrip. Preparation is where that result is decided, so that is where the time goes. Non skid gets restored or replaced where it has worn smooth, which is a safety issue before it is a cosmetic one.
Bottom work, blister repair, fairing and barrier coating, is coordinated to happen during haul out while she is already out of the water.
What you would notice first
A chip that has darkened around the edges. Crazing spreading from a corner or a fitting. A section of hull that has gone chalky and will not polish back. A soft feel underfoot on deck. Blisters appearing at haul out.
Common questions
Can a repair be invisible?
On newer gelcoat, often. On a faded hull, a perfect color match is harder, and we will tell you before the work rather than after.
Should I fix cosmetics before selling?
Some, not all. Money spent on the wrong cosmetics never comes back in the price. We will tell you which items actually move offers.
How long does the boat need to be out?
It depends entirely on scope. You get a schedule before the job starts, not after she is already in the shed.
