C-Forum

I have a red MR Outrage X that needs some repair on the stem ends. It looks to me like mostly gel coat has been chipped off. I already have some Gflex, fiberglass and Kevlar skid plate material. I am researching to try to find out the best way to patch the damage. I can see fibers, but they appear solid with no fraying and solid all the way through. Any thoughts?

Willy

I was not aware that Mad River ever made and sold any "glass" Outrages. Do you know the layup? What color is the interior of the boat?

It is all red. I think it is from 1998. Someone said it was an early mockup to check the mold.

If the gelcoat chips are simple, I would just fill them with a little G-flex and sand smooth.

When I do skid plates, I don't use Kevlar felt. I put on several concentric layers of S-glass, larger layers first. But why not just fix the chips and paddle it for the time being?

If the boat is pure glass, rather than glass outside and Kevlar inside, you should try to avoid huge pitons and other major blows. Damage tends to propagate in a glass boat. Kevlar helps prevent propagation.

I have a kevlar Mohawk Viper 11, no gel coat, and come to the opinion that damage seems to stay "local" and is easily repaired.

How is it that kevlar limits propagation?

Kevlar limits propagation because it is very, very resistant to tearing. Carbon is strong, but brittle, and tears more easily.