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After cleaning the inside over the last
Couple of weeks, I moved to the outside. I used deck wash which I sprayed on after wetting and then used a brush chucked into my cordless drip as a deck brush wasn’t cutting it. I think it cleaned up very nice. It also revealed a few issues that will need to be addressed (other posts).

But one thing I noticed was that the gelcoat or topcoat is thin in some places once the mildew and algae were washed away. You can see it in the picture of the foredeck on the hatch. It looks like blue fiberglass is peeking through.

What to do about that?

Thanks!

You are becoming aware of the old adage that a boat is a hole in the water where you toss money.

Looking at the forward hatch cover and other non-slip areas (assuming that's where you are seeing the problem), you can either paint it, apply gel coat, or do nothing. If you are really lucky, you will get a color match, but otherwise you will have some areas that don't match others. So, unless you are prepared to paint or otherwise coat the other non-slip areas, you might be better off just leaving them as is.

Thats just "character" showing thru...

I like character. I'm inclined to leave it be if it won't hurt anything?

J

Get it ready to go sailing and then go sailing. You can make it a show piece later - if you decide you want that. If it's warm enough to be pressure washing, you could be sailing...

Obviously, you need to take care of structural and safety stuff before taking your family and friends out. But, that's cosmetic (at least for short term). Having some fun should come before the cosmetic stuff.

Just my opinion.

You mentioned blue, that sounds like the second layer of gel coat. My boat (25) goes white, blue, fiberglass. I think the blue is to help block light, as fiberglass can be somewhat translucent. When you hit fiberglass it will be a light brown color.

And even if it was down to fiberglass, it would still just be cosmetic. Bare fiberglass can be out in the sun and the rain just as much as gel coat can. Gel coat is just the same polyester resin thickened and pigmented to create an cosmetic surface layer.

Definitely in the ignore it for now camp.

Looks like she's cleaning up really well. My 2 cents is get on the water sail and have fun then make a list of things to try and clean up. Of course anything safety related I would attend to prior to launch. These old boats always have projects that pop up. Some need done soon but many are cosmetic or to help make life easier for your type of sailing.

Stickinthemud57 wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 2:41 pm Looking at the forward hatch cover and other non-slip areas (assuming that's where you are seeing the problem), you can either paint it, apply gel coat, or do nothing. If you are really lucky, you will get a color match, but otherwise you will have some areas that don't match others. So, unless you are prepared to paint or otherwise coat the other non-slip areas, you might be better off just leaving them as is.

+1
If that's the area you are asking about then it looks completely cosmetic to me. Go on to another project for now or go sailing if there's nothing else to do. That area can wait until you have nothing better to do.

Cool, I’ve got a long list so this goes to the bottom. Thanks y’all

She’s cleans up real gud!
Y’all done her up nice.
Her beauty spots jus show off her better features…

NiceAft wrote: ↑Sat Dec 10, 2022 1:43 pm You are becoming aware of the old adage that a boat is a hole in the water where you toss money.

Pitchpole... said "My 2 cents is get on the water sail and have fun then make a list of things to try and clean up."

This is the best advice ever.
What I've learned in my two years owning a 26S is exactly that. There will be a never ending list of things to do, but as long as you can safely get out there and enjoy it, and DO that, then it makes them less onerous and more side notes.

BillyBobV wrote: ↑Fri Dec 16, 2022 7:28 am Pitchpole... said "My 2 cents is get on the water sail and have fun then make a list of things to try and clean up."

This is the best advice ever.
What I've learned in my two years owning a 26S is exactly that. There will be a never ending list of things to do, but as long as you can safely get out there and enjoy it, and DO that, then it makes them less onerous and more side notes.

This^

Sailing your boat will quickly bring into focus the things that need attention that bear on you actual enjoyment. Even in Atlanta, this is the off-season, so that may have to wait a bit. I would focus on functionality, making sure the boat is ready to go into the water when things warm up a bit. Cosmetics should take a back seat, IMO.

Frankly, I think I will rue the day that there are no projects left to do on my boat. I enjoy working on the boat almost as much as sailing it.

I enjoy working on the boat almost as much as sailing it.

I hope that extends to other's boats as well.

Come on up and prepare mine for next season.......I'll supply lunch.