: I also have a FG Rapier, but mine is a Rapier 20 and have a couple
: repair questions. Nothing as large as the original post though.

: I am having a problem with the hull oilcanning. This is happening a
: little in front of the seat. I have been putting off fixing it
: because I've never done any fiberglass/gelcoat work. Now the
: gelcoat is "bubbly" and has started to crack from the
: constant popping in/out. I was told if I can't see the weave
: this is likely just cosmetic, but I'd like to try my hand at
: some repairs so this seems like a good place to start. I talked
: to someone from where I bought this kayak and they suggested
: that I just put down some FG Matte. The stuff that the fibers go
: in every direction instead of the weave. I assume the suggestion
: to use the matte is for the very reason that Paul described
: above. I'm guessing there are different thicknesses? Could
: someone suggest a good thickness for this task?

: Another repair I need to do is on the cockpit coaming. I surfed
: into a log back when things were flooding in the fall and took a
: chunk out of the cockpit coaming. Maybe a little over a
: 1/4" deep and 1/2" long but cracks are starting to run
: out from the chip so I don't want to let it go for too long and
: get any worse. Is there a good way to fix this? I'd like the
: color to match, but structural integrity is far more important
: to me.

: Thanks,
: Brian

For the oilcanning, I think I'd do as Paul mentioned and put a reinforcing rib down the bottom, probably better in the center as it'll be out of the way most of the time. Doesn't need to be very tall. Might take a piece of 1/2 round wood trim and epoxy it to the bottom then glass over the top of that. You could use a piece of fiberglass tape, it's sold on a roll pre-cut. You'll need to scrub the area with acetone to remove any waxes then mask the area you'll be working on and sand to remove the gloss. Then epoxy the rib in place and once that's set glass over the top of that. The lightest weight fiberglass tape will work fine. You can buy all the supplies at a place like West Marine. You'd mostly never know it was there but should stop the problem. Using fiberglass mat is a bad idea, won't do anything but add weight.

The coaming is trickier. Anything you try to glue into the gap will fall out with the skirt being stretched over it and popped back off. This is a two step fix. First you need to fill the gap, then you'll need to apply a couple pieces of fiberglass over the whole coaming to reinforce the coaming so the piece you stuck in won't pop back out. I'm not sure this is an easy enough fix for the first time you use fiberglass, or the 2nd. time for that matter. It'll effect the appearance of the boat to the point that if done wrong it'll be difficult to sell. I'd at minimum get help from someone with prior epoxy/fiberglass experience or hire someone to fix this.

Bill H.