Bottom Paint Repairs

[Mongoose]

Hello again!

I'm planning to repaint the bottom of my boat. Freshwater only. In the water full-time from May-Oct. I know I have to sand off the old paint, but I'm curious about a handful of chips. Should I just sand those beyond where it is chipped and paint over it, or is some sort of filler necessary? If so, what kind of filler?
Thanks!
'Goose

[mmwjr]

I can’t tell from the picture but if the chip goes into the gelcoat it should be filled with epoxy resin.

[shrew]

If that is just a chip in the bottom paint, then sand the edges and fare it smooth, then do a couple of coats of touch-up before the bottom is repainted.

[yahoo82]

If you’re in 100% freshwater, the bottom paint becomes mostly cosmetic. It doesn’t offer any fiberglass protection, just keeps the scum line away. If anyone else feels different, please correct me, but I’m also in freshwater with a boat that has the bottom paint curse and it really doesn’t matter too much how it’s maintained. I started a new maintenance routine that only includes what you can see while the boats on plane :-). If the surface is really rough, there is a potential for performance degradation due to friction and it might make sense to fair the edges of any chips. The only reason to make it look good under the waterline is if you want to impress people while it’s on the trailer or jack stands. If you do give it another coat, make sure it’s compatible. Soft ablative can be applied over hard or soft. But hard will fail if applied over soft.