Pinhole in Cockpit Gelcoat

[Cydonia]

I have a dilemma. Working from inside my Pearson 323, I managed to drill through the gelcoat into the cockpit area. The hole is tiny really because I was using a very tiny drill bit. Nonetheless, I want to "repair" the hole. What should I use to repair it? I don''t want anything "flexible" like silicone and would really like to match color (although difficult because the boat is so old) for cosmetic reasons. It''s the only through-hole in the cockpit and is in a place where passengers'' backs would be when seated. In the alternative - any ideas for simply covering it up if I am stuck with the silicone option? THANKS!

[RichH]

Nah, put on a layer of wide masking tape, punch through to expose the hole and remove any tape that would cover the hole, apply white gelcoat repair with a poly spreader, let set, sand down with 1000 grit wet and dry sandpaper, remove the masking and sand with 2000 grit W&D.
then if there are and bubbles, etc. in the repair simply spread the gelcoat repair gel, let set and sand flat with 2000 grit Wet and dry. Use a bit of diswashing detergent in the water that you sand with.
You may even continue to sand the rest of the cockpit with the 2000 grit, then power buff with a super fine auto body (3M) compound to restore a high polished - brand new appearance, --- then wax. Be careful not to burn through the edges and corners.

[paulk]

Rich H has the best idea, but if the hole is too big,(you actually drilled it????) the gelcoat may weaken, crack, and fall out. If that happens, white Marinetex is the way to go. DON''T use standard epoxies, which will turn brown in the sun. I used Marinetex to fill the many holes (up to a half inch dia.)left from moving fittings all over our Soling, and it held up well in all of them for ten or more years. The colors won''t necessarily match as well as could be done with a gelcoat repair kit, but it shows and leaks less than a hole.

[Cydonia]

Thanks! I''ll get on it.
Regards,
Bob