Repairing gunwale on 2008 sunfish

JaninaP

New Member
Boat got loose in a storm and spent a day getting rubbed against the dock. How would you go about repairing this kind of damage to the gunwale. It's a 2008 and has the rolled gunwale. Does it need to be repaired?
Thank you
 

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You could do a quick pressure-test in shallow water. Push the edge under water and put your full weight on the deck. If no bubbles result, there's some integrity left in the gunwale. Most of us would repair it, if for no other reason than a cosmetic one.

I'd put some aluminum trim on it—NO!...belay that idea. ;)

"Freshen" the damaged surface with sandpaper or file. Wrap in plastic a dry stick (or PVC pipe) that would fit "snug" under the gunwale—tape it in place. Cut strips of fiberglass cloth, and epoxy layer after layer to stand fully "proud" of the surface. Sand, until everything looks even. Use 24-grit-sandpaper. (Yes, buy some from me—really—I have huge roll of it! :cool: ) Work down in grit (to 600?) until the surface is especially/acceptably smooth. Spray-paint with Rustoleum®. You're done. :)

A $30 West System® epoxy kit (with everything—perfect for this kind of small repair) is available from Amazon or Cabela's: West System Boat Repair Kit : Cabela's
 
Marine-Tex and JB Weld are both strong and epoxy-based. However, if I were going to take the time and expense to work it up, I'd use the West System® epoxy system. Why? Because it will definitely make the gunwale stronger. Plus, unused West System® epoxy lasts a very long time—good for more repairs "down the road".

If you end up buying two sets of Marine-Tex to finish the job, the price-penalty is about even. (Though some hardware stores sell Marine-Tex for more than the West System® kit). :eek: Ask me how I know. :rolleyes:
 
I will admit to having to experience working with fiberglass. I have done Marine-tex before so ahve at least a little experience with that. I don't currently own this boat but am considering purchasing it. They already did some repair on the hull due to same incident. it appears to be solid though I only have picture to go on as the boat is 2 hours away but they did not make it look particularly good cosmetically which does bother me a bit. It's a 2003 boat. Sail has tears in it and needs to be replaced although I have an extra sail so wouldn't need to purchase right away. Looks like it needs the repair o the gunwale. Even if it's structurally ok, it would bother me cosmetically. Not sure if I want to put the work into it though. Time is something I don't have much of. Would fixing the gunwale be a difficult project? I will include a pic of the hull repair. Let me know what you think of that.
 

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The reason I was considering marine tex is because it's already white and I figured it would match better without having to resort to paint or gelcoat
 
I use epoxy for permanence: Marine-Tex for reinforcement. So, I'm back to my last answer.
A Rustoleum "repair" ;) is much easier than any gelcoat repair.

By Monday afternoon, the opinions of other Sunfish fixer-uppers can be expected to appear. Weekends are slow at this forum...can you tell it's been thundering and raining all week where I am? :rolleyes:

Say, I've never driven two hours to buy a Sunfish. (I now have six, and don't know why :confused: ). For a $50 fee, Sunfish #5—a beauty—was delivered
to me! :eek: (Bought @$250, sight-unseen). Last week, a neighbor gave me Sunfish #6 ("Project Sunfish" :oops: 'think I'll rename her to Irma).
 

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