Shiny Gelcoat: More Than Just Good Looks
Gleaming topsides keep your boat looking new, but they also make her last longer.
September 18, 2014
There is nothing quite like the shine of a new boat. Even an older boat that's received a lot of spit and polish can make passersby stop in their tracks. But shiny gelcoat isn't just a way to attract attention; it also keeps your boat from absorbing water.
The shine on this Sam Devlin motor yacht not only looks good, it protects the hull from absorbing water. Photo: Neil Rabinowitz
Gelcoat is the first layer that goes into a female mold, which is the standard way to build a fiberglass boat. In addition to looking good, you should consider it a barrier coat between the structure of your boat (fiberglass cloth and resin) and the briny deep. Any scratches will eventually let water into the laminate, which will lead to long term problems. (Read How to Fix Light Gelcoat Scratches on Boat Trader's Waterblogged for more info.)
Even unscratched but faded gelcoat is not as waterproof as a shiny surface. Picture a freshly waxed car hood, with the rain water beading up; the same will happen on a shiny gelcoat hull. The more the gelcoat is allowed to oxidize and fade, the less water-resistant it will be—until finally it gets chalky and cracked and needs an expensive paint job.
We've put together a video explaining How to Restore Faded Gelcoat on a Boat, and it's one of the most popular how to videos in our library. This is one project you can do yourself; all you need is elbow grease and a few tools. That will save you money and increase your boating satisfaction—at least according to Doug Logan (read Boat Ownership Advice: Embrace the Hacksaw). And the end of the season is a great time to shine up your boat, since it will be better protected from winter weather with a gleaming outer layer.
Want more detail about why gelcoat is worth the elbow grease? Read this article from our archives: Gelcoat Care.
