Gel Coat Repair

[Rob Robinson]

Ahoy all!

I am the proud new owner of a gently used 2006 Mac 26M - with the fast blue hull I am for the most part new to sailing and my experience thus far has been limited to a few weeks this summer on a small lake with light winds (training grounds). I'm now back home in a slip on Casco Bay and finding out that motoring around the marina is actually more nerve racking than sailing!

Long story short I was heading out of the slip against a 10-15 mph downwind and ended up dinging the boat on the dock (1/4" hole about a foot below the portside transom corner). Purely cosmetic (I think) but still my first ding nonetheless So, I've searched for Gel Coat Kits and have found several DIY color matching options, but was wondering if there is a known kit that matches the blue hull exactly?

[MARK PASSMORE]

Congrats Rob, Welcome to the board. I am new to sailing also and have found the good folks on this site have a wealth of knowledge. You have come to the right place to find answers to any of your questions. Good luck.

[atzserv]

Rob,
I have a blue 2006 also. I bought a pint from Macgregor factory, I just called the number on their site. It was 21 something delivered and I had to send a money order first with a note of what I wanted. A pint is a huge amount of gel coat but if it were me I would go that way, more dings will come I am guessing. I spent alot on sandpaper at the auto store, I had some 220 disks so that was my rough sanding, then 400.600 1000 and finally 1500. Then I used some 3M clear coat type rubbing compound that finishes the 1500 to glass. As I was sanding the color seemed a bit lighter blue until I used the 3M compound, turned it to just right. Hope this helps, Also you need some acticator for the gel coat. 7 something at west marine, 1.50 at the auto store, lol. Hope this helps,

Gary

[Rob Robinson]

Gary,

Will do. Thanks for the tips!

Rob

[Catigale]

Welcome aboard Rob - check out the New England Trailor Sailors for meeting some new Mac friends

Link here