Making repairs to gunwale

Just A Mom

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I posted that we finally found a boat. We're lucky that it was bought, new, by a member of my son's yacht club. Then two years ago one of the kids my son races with bought it. We bought it on Friday. We know the complete history of this 1988 Laser. It was sailed by the original owner about ten times a summer. It's never been outside in winter. Then the last two years it was sailed July and August.

It's in great condition and all foils, rigging (6:1 outhaul), tiller and extension, XD cunnngham and sails were replaced new in 2014. So, in short, it's well maintained.

The only problem ssems to be the result of an incident of gunwale versus dock. There are two sections where the gunwale is scuffed up.

How do we fix this? I assume this has been asked before and someone will know of the thread.

I am attaching a picture of the spots in question.
 

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Those look pretty minor, cosmetic only.
on the bow, i would leave that alone or find a piece of rubber or plastic strip to fasten to it as a bumper of sorts. That area is very prone to marring and scratches.

on the side gunwale scuffs, i would start with some 320 wet paper on a block and just slowly work on the spot. you will clean it up pretty well with that. just make sure you stop before getting through the gelcoat.

good luck.
 
For the scuffs, I recommend Collinite Fiberglass Boat Cleaner #920. Amazon sells a 16 oz bottle for $15. Also, consider a plastic bow rail guard and/or a vinylac rub rail like these from APS. -- Ed
tf001_laser_bow_rail_guard.jpg lp91193.jpg
 
That area is very prone to marring and scratches.

Yes, I think every sailing school boat at the club has marks in that same spot. Funny story.....my son says that at his sailing school the right of way rules are in this order:

1. The rowers (The Canadian Olympic Rowing Team trains here)
2. The race team (Lasers - my son's level)
3. The CanSail III and IV students (in 420s)
4. The Cansail I and II students (in CL 14s)

He says that when you encounter a CanSail I and II boat you just TURN! LOL! He said they WILL hit his Laser because these are typically 8-11 year olds who are new to sailing and simply can't turn fast enough. Needless to say, that is why every sailing school boat has gunwale or bow scuffs or worse damage.

Taking a boat out on that lake on a sailing school day is like putting your life in the hands of 10 year olds. :p
 
Nothing to worry about, really. Don't spend time or money to fix those blemishes; that's my humble opinion.
My boat has similar 'love touches'.
 
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