Just a little rant...

[haulinvols]

Well finally got to go out for a great weekend of boating....that was until time to load the boat up on Sunday. It seems the area just beyond the no-wake zone has become a haven for wakeboarders and jet-skis. They like the area because it is just outside the main channel, and offers plenty of room to "tear it up" as they say. Well, that is exactly what they are doing. Legaly they are beyond the no-wake area, but that does not stop the huge wakes these boats make from rolling into the dock and launch ramp areas. A small 16 footer was almost sunk on Sunday, and my boat was damaged slightly on the rear corner from being rolled up against the dock. I have made repeated attempts to get ahold of the Wildlife resources to move the no-wake zone out further with out a single call back. I fear if this keeps up I will have to ring a knot in someone. I will keep you posted on what happens. I hate to drive another 30 minutes to the next ramp just because of this, but it is not worth my boat being damaged.

[Baja340SF]

I can understand the frustration........especially when your boat got damaged. Before you go ahead and 'ring a knot' in somebody you might just want to get a set of larger fenders! :biggrin Until you can get intouch with wildlife resources.
It sucks but you will get yourself into more trouble than a scratched boat if you chose to take things into your own hands.
What about Marine Patrol??? Or is your Wildlife resources cover that too?

[haulinvols]

Our wildlife resources are over everything. Trust me, in the case of what happend to mine, fender size would have made no difference. The docks float and the dock was heading down while my boat was heading up, the fender got caught up on top the the dock while the boat was coming back down. With the force of the wake there was nothing I could do. It was all I could do to keep the boat off the docks as it was. I don't plan on getting into any fights over it, it is just frustrating to watch you hard earned money get beat up. The funny thing is, I watched one of the guys that was out there pulling his boat into the docks and complaining about the wakes, when I pointed out that he too was responsible he just laughed. That is what you get when mom and dad buy their spoiled little rich kid a new boat, and he has no idea about the rules of the road.

[hp500]

Matt
How bad is it? Do you need some gel let me know if it's bad I will come down and fix it for you. I have a little ICE white left that is the color? I will Email you my phone number.
Gary

[haulinvols]

Thanks for the offer Gary, I already fixed the damage on the corner, the only thing left to repair is the rubrail. I will be working on that this weekend. Should not be a big deal. Just more frustrated It happended than anything.

[kent20outlaw]

Hey Matt,

I don't know the law in TN but in SC (as word of mouth has it) all boats are responsible for their wakes, regardless of the fact that they are outside of the no-wake zone.

You mentioned that one guy complained yet was also creating the rollers. Take down his reg. numbers and turn him in. He can be held responsible for any damaged caused. Maybe just the threat of that action will scare them off.

Let us know how it works out.

[haulinvols]

Kent, we have the same law here in Tn. The problem is, it becomes a he said, she said kind of thing. Besides for the damage to mine it would be more trouble than it was worth. For the poor guy with the 16 footer, I would have been proud to testify for him. I sent another email to the Wildlife resources department and am still awaiting a reply. We will see how it goes.

[mikeandkimlovethelakeoftheo]

Sorry about the damage. I have had a few "go-a-rounds" with some of our local wakeboarders over this and other issues. One day my wife was holding the boat at the dock while i backed the trailer in to load up. The wake from their boat hit, pushing the boat away from the dock and nearly took my wife with it. Wakeboarding is a blast but how about a little common sense and consideration people, please.

[hp500]

Matt
Sounds like your getting good with glass work. :biggrin

[haulinvols]

Ya Gary, I just wish I was doing it on a friend's boat, instead of mine. I have done a couple of dings on a guys bass boat for him. Your method works like a charm.

[hp500]

Matt
Look at the money your saving by doing it your self. Glass work runs about 55 to 65 dollars a hour . Not including materials and believe me materials are high. So I would say that the work you have done your self is about 2 to 3 hundred dollars. Remember any time I can help just give me a call.

[Beachin]

HP500

If you ever end up on a vacation in Maine, I will be glad to take you boating and provide the beverages and meals for the little nick I have in the gel coat on my deck.:party

Ross

[hp500]

Beachin
A little nick is a quick fix. I have a thread some place on how to fix a small scratch or nick. Or Email me your phone number and I will walk you threw how to do it
Gary

[haulinvols]

Try this thread. p201.ezboard.com/fteambaj...=1&stop=20 (http://p201.ezboard.com/fteambajamarinefrm27.showMessageRange?topicID=217.topic&start=1&stop=20)

[hp500]

Thanks Matt
I can never find any thing. He!! I can't even keep up with my car keys.

[Beachin]

Gary,

Thanks, I have printed out your instructions and I will give this a try. Does the first step of sanding and cleaning with acetone all I need to do to make sure of a good bond that will not break out? If I get stuck I will email you for help.

It is nice to have experts to go to for advise.

Ross

[hp500]

Hello Ross
Yes. Just make sure you bevel out the chip and clean it with acetone. It would be a good idea to let your patch set over night it being your first time. Just remember take your time you can't rush glass work

[Beachin]

Gary,

Thanks for the email. I do not think that the temp is going to be high enough this weekend to try the patch. Probably next week end.

I am not sure if I missed this in you instructions but does the patch shrink when drying? Should I fill the nick to even with the gel around it or should I be a bit high and then sand off. I am guessing this stuff is not simple to sand.

Ross

[haulinvols]

The spots I repaired, I filled in a little high and then sanded the area even. That way I was assured of filling the spot in full. It is easier to sand than you would think. It was worth the effort, as they look good as new and you can not tell the chips were even there.

[hp500]

Good morning Ross
No it will not shrink. Fill a bit higher and then sand down. Temp does not effect the curing that much but it does a little. That is why I would let it set over night. When sanding you need to wet sand it with 1000 to 1500 sand paper and use a lot of water. The more water the better. Keep us posted on how it goes:biggrin

[Beachin]

hp500

I finally got to try to repair my small nick in the gel coat. It looks like it worked very well. The only issue I had is when I removed the tape a very small spot right next to the rub rail came off. I thought that I had it cleaned well but maybe I missed something. I hope that I can lightly sand on that spot and clean again and then just dab a bit more patch on it. I know I am okay with the gel coat repair and hardener but I am not sure if the little tube of white pigment will still be okay.

I only need a little bit to fix this problem

Ross

[hp500]

Good Morning Ross
If you have a little of the gelcoat leftover that I sent you it will be OK to use it. What I think may have happened is the MEK, hardener may have not mix good. Ross if you need some more gelcoat just let me know and I will send you a little more.
Gary AKA 500hp

[Beachin]

Thanks Gary,

I did not get any gel coat from you. I was using some from a repair kit from the marine dealer. Was that a bad idea? Will my entire repair end up coming off?

Ross

[hp500]

Ross
Sorry, I thought I sent you some gelcoat. I have made up several gelcoat kits for some people here and I can't remember who I sent them to. I think your repair will be OK as long as it got hard. It was not a bad idea getting it from a dealer. It,s just I get mine from a fiberglass shop that gets their gel for Baja's, from Baja. If I can help you in any way just let me know.

[82C3]

How's this sound? The lake which I frequent which is 8 miles from my house has decided to upgrade the launch ramp(it is needed) and add some docks on both sides of the ramp. Here is the catch, they have decided to do it right after the fourth of July and close the boat ramp from July 6 to the end of July to the start of August. This is the only ramp that you can use if your boat drafts more then 2 feet of water. Sounds like great planning to me:evil I just needed to vent on this issue.
Tom Bolduc
03 202 Islander

[Baja340SF]

So it sounds like a perfect reason for you to make it to the Winni poker run!! July 17th...........you should be frothing at the mouth by that time! :biggrin