Worn gel coat

[mark poulson]

My 2007 Ranger that I bought new in March, 2008, has had the white gel coat worn off where it slides onto the bunks.
Do I need to be worried about this?

[DAKINE198]

If you'd stop fishing so much, you wouldn't have to worry about it so much

[mark poulson]

If you'd stop fishing so much, you wouldn't have to worry about it so much

If I caught fish, it probably wouldn't matter as much.

[dwise]

It's on the bottom of the hull, so don't look at it. No one will see it.

[mark poulson]

It's on the bottom of the hull, so don't look at it. No one will see it.

I think that's what's been keeping the fish off my line.

[dwise]

Time to trade it in, Mark. Get a bigger boat!

[mark poulson]

All kidding aside, do I need to worry about the worn gel coat?

[Oldschool]

Shouldn't be wearing through the color coat, if it is something is wrong! Next time you launch, check the trailer bed carpet for dirt or debris (quagga mussels). The boat bottom should be clean and smooth, if it isn't it needs to be for good performance.
Tom

[mark poulson]

Thanks Tom.
I'll check the bunks. The gel coat doesn't appear to be scratched, just kind of worn off from rubbing on the bunks. The bottom feels smooth.

[mrobinett]

I use to be a gelcoater. I gelcoated for 10 years. If the rubbing off is nice and smooth, the gelcoater, thinking its just the bottom, didn't put much on the bottom. If it's rough and gouged, there is probably something harsh on your bunks. As far as structurally, it's not a problem. The thickness of the fiberglass in that area is probably 5/8 to3/4 of an inch thick. We used to have saying that was "everything on a boat is meant to hide something". The gelcoat hides the fiberglass, the carpet hides the fiberglass etc.

[mark poulson]

Thanks Mike. That's reassuring. I am going to scrub my bunks next time I launch.

[CN]

My 2000 started doing that after about five years but it has not gotten any worse since. I am not to worried about now.

[Oldschool]

Wet years like we just had the lakes have all kinds of floating debris that get on the bunk carpets. Wash the bunks off at the ramp after launching, just takes a few minutes.
Tom

[ken a]

I know this is not what you asked to fix your boat but to prevent further damage you need to have bunk carpet that is in good shape and wet the bunks well before pulling the boat out.

[mark poulson]

I checked the bunks yesterday, and the carpet was clean, but a little worn.
So I can see redoing them as a project this summer. Grrrr....
BOAT Break Out Another Thousand!!!