Gelcoat chipped off bottom of strakes

[77trimate4]

I was under the mate today and noticed there are a few hunks of gelcoat missing off the bottom of the strakes. about 1/4" wide and 2" long, I can see the resin core and cloth below it. It's not visible when its on the trailer (the spot is about 2 feet infront of the transom) Can I use 3M 5200 to fill this in or does it dry to brittle to take the pounding? Or should I just leave it alone, as you cant see it unless you're laying directly under the keel

Derek

[Blizz]

Yes you can 5200 to repair it. Whatever you do do leave it that's a perfect spot for water to get it and rot out your core and soak your foam.

[77trimate4]

does 5200 stay flexible when it dries or does it become brittle? Just worried about the pounding of the water breaking it out.

derek

[Blizz]

Sorry was thinking of a diff sealant 5200 does stay flexible and may pop out. If they're not huge you can use just some gelcoat, if they're a little big for that use so0me epoxy resin with talc or your thickener of choice fill and sand. (Clean areas out abit with a dremel or similar to get out loose pieces and to roughen it up a bit for adhiesion and clean well..)

[77trimate4]

any special epoxy I need to use or just the general 30-min stuff from the hardware store? I have some 'microballoons' that I use on my RC boats, would this work to thicken it up?

derek

[Blizz]

epoxy works the best but reg resin should work fine also