American Boat Restoration Fiberglass Boat Repair

When only the best will do

American Boat Restoration


 Quality boat repairs that endure time 

Gelcoat - Fiberglass - Multi-Color Polyflake Restorations

 Repair Training for Gelcoat-Fiberglass & Polyflake

Learn the correct process for successful repairs!

  Call- 518.577.7799  Or 413-665.7424         Email -  boatrepair@aol.com

Cosmetic & Structural Specialist providing exceptional work for over 45 years
 Gelcoat Color Matching 
 Consulting Service 
Insurance Estimates- Manufacturer Waranty Repairs
Dave Weakley, owner of American Boat Restoration aka "Dr Gel" has been writing monthly articles in
Boating On The Hudson & Beyond magazine for over 19 years. He is featured on the May 2012 cover.
Feedback from our Repair Training Students is in April- May 2022 issue.See "Ask Dr Gel" visit www.boatingonthehudson.com  
Past articles are archived on the Home Page


We'll keep you looking good on the water!
"We'll keep you looking good on the water!"

If boating is your passion, we will keep your fiberglass vessel looking good season after season!
Fine quality fiberglass and gelcoat repair is an art that requires many years of experience, dedication, time and patience. Our consistent high quality work is performed by skilled composite craftsmen with over 45 years experience.

Damage to your fiberglass boat can be caused by unfortunate collision, dock, rock, wind, storm, trailer, expected "wear & tear", the sun and weather elements, family members, etc! However the damage occurs we can repair,improve the looks and extend the life of your new or "seasoned" investment.

Repair service- We provide certified fiberglass, gelcoat and multi-color polyflake boat repairs, restoration, refinishing and custom gelcoat color matching. We offer pinstriping/bootstripe replacement.

Our trained experts repair all minor & major gelcoat,fiberglass & polyflake damage including holes, cracks, chips, airpockets, scrapes, gashes,spider cracks or "crazing", osmotic blistering a.k.a. "boat pox", scratches, "dock rash" and delaminations. If your boat has any type of fiberglass impact or structural damage, fractures, transoms we can help.
Have dull,chalked,faded gelcoat color? Let us rejuvenate it with our color restoration process!

Gelcoat-Fiberglass-Polyflake Repair Training - Includes Color Matching

Classes are taught year round. Please see more info below

Consulting Service for Manufacturers, Dealers, Marinas,Yacht Clubs & Repair Facilities- Are your gelcoat repairs not to the standard they should be? Frustrated with failed and ugly repairs? Dave can help you achieve quality and successful repairs. We can make arrangements for him to come to your site and oversee your shop  procedures. Call us please for more information.

Soda Blasting Service 


QUICK PAINT REMOVAL FOR HULLS - OUTDRIVES - AUTOS- AUTO PARTS - FARM MACHINERY etc

What's under your bottom paint? 

Bottom paints hide a lot; We've seen it! It covers previous repairs, osmotic blisters,cracks and other typs of hull damage. I have seen many bottom paints that have not been properly applied - flaking off and exposing a hull to water absorbtion and eventually potential osmotic blisters and hull failure. Heavy amounts of bottom paint on a boat weighs alot and will slow it down cutting fuel efficiency. 
Our Soda Blasting is the best Bottom Paint Removal system. It is Safe, Clean & Environmentally friendly! During the bottom paint removal process we can professionally access the condition of your hull. We do more than just soda blast the paint off, we get to see every square inch of it! We can offer the best advise on how to keep your hull in great condition. With over 40 years experience we know how to correctly perform any type of fiberglass repairs if needed!

  Please note -After the hull is soda blasted it must be prepped correctly for the best epoxy barrier coat adhesion. Soda blasting alone will not prep a boat for epoxy barrier or bottom paint. It must be sanded with the proper grit sand paper. Epoxy Barrier is a primer for bottom paint and provides the best protection against water intrution and the development of osmotic blistering. We highly recommend epoxy barrier on all hulls that are kept in the water all season. 

Sand Blasting - for heavy metal rust removal 

Manufacturer Warranty Repairs - We are an Authorized Repair Facility for many boat manufacturers.

Insurance Estimates - We work with all insurance companies furnishing them with important repair estimates and digital photos of damages as quickly as possible. The process of an INSURANCE CLAIM varies with each company.
Here is some helpful advise;
* Get the insurance information, names and addresses from the other party or parties involved in the accident, as soon as you sustain the damage. This could be another boat, a marina or another third party. Save this information.

  • We suggest you take pictures as soon as possible. We will also take photos during our evaluation. The claims representative from the insurance company may also take pictures, but it doesn't hurt to have pictures that you've taken immediately after the incident.
  • Call a claims representative from the insurance company to make your claim. The claims representative may come out to see damage and help you fill out the claims form, which will allow you to tell your side of the incident.
  • We have our own info form for you to fill out. It requires; Your infomation- Boat information; Make,Model & HID# (This will be on your Registration) - Your Insurance Company info;name,address Your CLAIM # - A insurance agent/contact person,their phone #,email address and fax # 
  • We will submit to your insurance a written estimate of what it will cost to repair your boat including photos. We provide as much detail as possible so the insurance claims people can fully understand the nature of the damage and the repair process needed to be done.
  • Most insurance companies will cover transport cost to repair facility and back.
  • Insurance company will review repair cost and if they have any questions will contact us.
  • Wait for your check to arrive from the insurance company. This may take only a few days or weeks. It will be processed only after all of the claims forms have been filled out and your claim has been approved.
  • Receive your check from the insurance company, which you can then use to repair your boat.

    We make every effort to get you back on the water as soon as possible!

Need advise?  We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding a potential purchase, care of your boat and/or referrals for your other boating needs.


           "We have been serving boaters for over 48 years. We're boaters ourselves! "

      Thank you for taking the time to visit our web site. We look forward to helping you!

Dave and Dee Weakley 

413.665.7424 or 518.577.7799      Email- boatrepair@aol.com
                                                Mon.- Fri. 8A - 4P        Sat. & Sun. by appointment                                                          

 Need a marine survey? Visit coastmarineservices.com

We use MAS Epoxies  www.masepoxies.com


 


"Thanks so much for the top quality, professional work you have done to restore my boat. It is now 15 years old, but looks like new! I'll be proud to recommend you to others! "  
"Thank you all for for helping us with this boat that I have been waiting my whole life for - Your the best!"
"Thanks so much for the work on our boat - Once again you came to our rescue - thank you!"
"Thank you for the great job as always!"

American Boat Restoration was featured in
BOATING
worlds largest powerboat magazine 
October 2004  "Ways to make an old boat new again"


Read Dave's monthly "Ask Dr. Gel" articles in
BOATING ON THE HUDSON & BEYOND magazine 
www.boatingonthehudson.com -
Archived issues 2007-present


Dr.Gel

To read "feedback" from our students on Dave's Gelcoat Repair Training- Check out the "Ask Dr Gel" article in 2022 April-May issue of Boating On The Hudson magazine- online at www.Boatingonthehudson.com   If you missed it, articles are archived on the Home Page

Hands on Gelcoat Repair Training
 


Gelcoat and Fiberglass Repair Training
taught by Dave Weakley  aka "Dr Gel"
  He will teach you the proper techniques backed by working in the trade for many years.

"Your knowledge and the quality of the materials you use will lead to successful repairs!"
Learn All Aspects of Gelcoat - Fiberglass - Multi-Color Polyflake & Color Matching Repairs 

Buffing - Grinding - Fiberglass layup- Mixing - Catalyzing - Color Matching 
Spraying - Sanding - Finishing 
Learn what Best Tools & Materials to use to do a successful repair

Training is mainly "hands on" - no video to watch - not a classroom setting
Personalized small class size training! 
 You will learn the right way to repair boats. Expert Color Matching is a key part of our training program. We know how to achieve a great color match. If a repair is not a good color match it'll be a "patch" not a successful repair.


This is a great class for Boat Owners, Dealerships, Marinas, Body Shops & Yachts Clubs
CONSULTING SERVICE available for manufacturers & gelcoat repair facilities
Training can be arranged at your facility.  Let us help you improve the quality of your boat repairs at your own shop. Please call us for more information  518-577-7799

"You have nothing to lose and everything to gain" 
From our students
" I thought you would get satisfaction how your life has affected another in the gelcoat world. I never would have attempted or considered doing this job if our lives had not crossed. Every time I gelcoat I am reminded that my beginnings were because of your kind sharing of your knowledge and experience. I a way a part of you is on my boat"


"I can't even begin to thank you enough for your class! After losing my partner, who did all our Gel-Coat work, I was certainly concerned as to who would finish our repaired projects. After taking your class I am able to turn out better work than we had in the past and without all the problems we had been having. You not only provided excellent hands on training but also explained what we were doing to cause the problems we were having in the past. We are now turning out a better product than we ever had!
I would certainly recommend your class not only for new people to the profession but also as a refesher to others in the business as well!"  S.R. President of a ny boat repair facility


" Thanks again for coming up to our marina for the training class/repair. I learned a lot. The customer was astonished to see how well the repair turned out."  Service Manager

Another student wrote

“I was very impressed with the level of skill and knowledge Dave possessed in gelcoat repair. Truly Dave is a gelcoat artist. More impressive was Dave’s skill as a teacher. Teaching is more about focusing on student learning than the amount of content covered. Dave focused on my learning. He monitored my progress and made adjustments to reinforce specific skills, to make corrections, as well as move to the next level when appropriate while making changes to his teaching style to suit my learning style. I recommend Dave’s class for anyone w-ho wishes to learn or improve their skill in gelcoat repair.” Deric T. student Chittenago, NY

January 2017 Student  " Loved it. It was a steady flow of information every second of the day. I not only learned a unbelivable amount, I had a great time.  Exceeded by far my training expectations"

 



 


Dave and student during Gelcoat Training Class
 
The photos on our web site are of repairs done by us, American Boat Restoration. We can prove it. In the past some images have been stolen and posted on other web sites. We successfully shut down one web site who stole our photos. Another site was made to remove them. If you see any of our images shown on another web site please contact us - boatrepair@aol.com   Thank you to those who have alerted us!
 Although flattered, we are not happy!

Damage on Bayliner Trophy brought to our repair facility
Trophy repaired by American Boat Restoration
Mastercraft before restoration
Restoration complete with new grahics
Red paint being removed
Red paint removed- New black gelcoat applied and sanded
Stringray hit by tree limb
Repair begins by grinding out broken fiberglass
Repair completed
We call this mess a "patch" a poorly done repair.
Our repair in progress
Our Pulpit repair complete
1986 Correct Craft Ski Nautique Before restoration project
Ski Nautique was completely restored inside & out. Additional images of repair process are available.



American Boat Restoration Mobile Soda Blasting Service --- With over 40 years of gelcoat and fiberglass repair experience I can expertly determine any problems you may have with your hull.
Trawler with heavy flaking bottom paint
Hull is tented during Soda Blasting procedure
Soda blasting removed hundreds of lbs of old bottom paint. The hull was examined carefully- note previous repair was unknown to boat owner. He was happy to see the repair was done correctly. Hull was sanded and is ready for epoxy barrier and new bottom paint.
Soda Blasting - safe, environmentally friendly Bottom Paint Removal
1971 19' Donzi Bench Seat Hornet arrives for restoration project
 
Restoration of Donzi Hull completed, Boat owner will have top deck restored next
Mach 1 needing some TLC
Gelcoat color restored,new decals & ready to hit the water!
boat came in contact with a boat lift
After repair by American Boat Restoration
 
Dull Checkmate. Restoration starts on forward starboard side
Restoration completed
Image: 


Copyright 2002  American Boat Restoration  All rights reserved.

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