Saturday was good and bad, the bad being having to do some household chores, the good being actually finding a place in Northamptonshire that sold 'Marine filler'! Midlands Chandlery in Braunston, not a million miles from the well known marina. This the first time I have ever been to a chandlers that was not in a total (s'cuse my french) buggers muddle. Everthing well laid out in nice aisles prices, clearly marked and very reasonable too. I noticed paint was about 70p cheaper than the same product on Ebay! Although I cannot vouch for the rest of the prices, however they are on the web ( http://www.midlandchandlers.co.uk/ )so it might be worth a look if you want some bits. Just one point they predominately cater for narrowboats but were not scathing when I said I had a tupperware boat
After all the running about etc. I did get around to applying the filler to that 'orrible 'ole, I did this by applying several layers gradually building it up and sanding in between. Each time checking with a straight edge (I use old steel rules, I have a 6", 12" & 24" I use depending on the area I have to fill, any filler is cleaned off using an old chisel) that the filler is not above the deck line. The final layer is applied slightly above the deck line and sanded to just below (about 2mm). As the deck is to be painted the edge was feathered & not stepped. I would leave a small step to give a edge for the gell coat & blend it in/feathering only the gel coat if I was not going to paint the repair.
With this done it was gel coat time, again, in a couple of layers. I made the mistake of using the plastic applicator, it does not work well on the final layer, a bit rough for my liking. Next time I will try a long haired paint brush which should give a smooth finish without the ridges.
That was Saturday done with, the sky opened again, so it was a mad dash with the tarp. Sunday came with a bright but cold start and a phone call to to say expect a visitation from the kids, Allthough not a total waste of restoration time, I was at least able to sand the gel I had applied, by hand! I am not one for hand finishing unless I have too, this is what machines are for
. Initially I sand with a block with wet and dry ( small tip - if using wet, rub soap, hard bar type, on the wet and dry this helps keep the grit clear of paint so it lasts longer and the wet and dry will glide smoother). For the edges & corners I just use wet and dry wrapped around my fingers then I know how hard I am rubbing with less risk of cutting through the gel coat. So after a hour or two it was done ready for the deck paint.
The next good weekend will find me going over the topsides with the gel filler making good and with any luck give the final sanding in preperation for the primer, fingers crossed. That is me done for now I have about an hour left to tidy myself up before the kid's visitation, not to mention pacticing smiling and being nice.
. One of these days we are going to sell up and buy a live'a'board, once the kids stop borowing from our savings and we are not needed as baby sitters! 
.
