Thanks to a stump or something I now have a ugly little spot on the bottom of my boat.  It is about 3 inches long and maybe a 1/4" wide.  Its all the way through to the fiberglass and right on a chine.  I really don't want to take it in to the end of the year.   Will this be ok, and what am I risking by not having it repaired right away?  Also, is it something that has to be fixed or can I elect to live with it?

LET IT DRY.  ROUGH UP WITH SAND PAPER. GET ALL DUST OUT, WIPE DOWN WITH ACETONE.  FILL IN WITH BONDO BODY FILLER. WET SAND TO FLUSH WITH ORIGINAL SURFACE. THAT SHOULD GET THROUGH INTIL A PRO CAN MATCH YOUR GEL COAT FOR YOU OR IF YOU CAN MATCH IT WITH RESIN COLORANT, LEAVE BONDO A LITTLE BELOW ORGINAL SURFACE, GO OVER THE TOP OF IT WITH RESIN, WET SAND, REPEAT AGAIN INTIL YOUR HAPPY WITH IT, WAX.  IF YOU GEL COAT YOURSELF MAKE SURE YOU GET SELF CURING RESIN (WAX ADDED) OR COVER WITH PLASTIC WRAP TO CURE FULLY.   GOOD LUCK

Depending on the severity of the fiberglass damage should warrant weather you want to fix it or deal with it later. If it gives you a sense of insecurity then by all means it should br fixed. I would bet a 10 pounder that 1/2 the members of this site have knocked the gel-coat of somewere on thier boat. Bottom, top or one of the sides. Some may know it and some may never know it.  I would be a little concerned about a large chip on the "chine" area. Other wise known as the "hook". This area takes alot of friction and preasure as the boat is all full pad. Over a period of time it may become more damaged or chip larger depending of how you drive your boat and the speed you like to travel. You also might run the risk of the fiberglass absorbing water in between the gel-coat and matting, which will make the repair area more difficult and lengthy to fix for the repair center. If the damaged area were near the keel ot the boat, I would not be as concerned because it would be out of the water when boat is on pad. If this were my boat I would fix the damaged area a.s.a.p. depending of the severity of the damage.

matt, at the very least I'd have it patched until later in the season. You don't want bare fiberglass absorbing water. You'll have a real problem then.

Cart,

Suggestions on a material/product to patch it with?

Wal-Mart: fiberglass repair kit - follow directions.

Do not leave the glass bare as it will absorb water, get soft, and then serious problems.

It's an easy fix.

If yove a local auto body or boat repair shop, you might be able to find sandable gel-coat in a can (simular to bondo or other fillers). This is not to be used as a permanant repair but it will get you by for a while. Follow the directions on the can. Its spreads like bondo but its made for under water use and you dont have to paint it or add top coats.  I have used it many times over the years for a quick repair until I have time to repair it correctly.

It's great to hear I have a do it myself option.  I haven't been under the boat and looked since last August or so.  I don't know how long this spot has been there.  Is there anything in particular I should look for in case this spot has been there for a couple of months.

Look for flaking in or around the damaged spot up tp 5 or 6 inches around. Feel of the surrounding area and see if it is soft or spongey feeling. Feel of the exposed fiberglass matting with your finger and see if it is wet. If it is wet you will have to dry it out ( blow drier, heat gun, fan) before you can do any temp. or permanant repair.