Skid plate, epoxy, gator patch learning

Found out that the hull of my Passport 12 is easily scratched up, so a skid plate on the bow seemed like a must-have. Thanks to this forum and some other vids, it was a choice between epoxy and a Gator Patch. I ordered the biggest Gator Patch for like 70 bucks at Bass Pro but couldn't wait for it to arrive in the mail and went ahead with some marine epoxy last night that was like four or five bucks.

I sanded, rubbing alcohol cleaned, and taped off the area with masking tape and started spreading

One lesson learned was don't overdo it when trying to smooth the thing. A tip I got from this forum was using a wet finger to smooth the stuff out. Yeah, that didn't work out for me. It sort of got tiny water drops into the epoxy and made some weird spots. I kept futzing with it too long and made the thing look good and bumpy. Finally left it alone until morning.

Today, it's harder than hell and I don't even mind the bumpiness. I could sand it and apply another layer if I want to make it look nicer. I had things pretty darn smooth and nice before trying the wet finger technique, so I'm pretty confident I could make it look nicer with another go at it. But it seems good and hard and functional at this time.

It was a bit of a thing for me to get over the idea of permanently applying something to my pretty new 'yak, but one mishap at the boat ramp scratched up that bow pretty good and I wasn't having it.

Not sure what to do with the Gator Patch when it arrives in a day or two. When I initially started with the epoxy, I was thinking it would create a good surface for the gator patch to go over everything. Now I'm not sure if I need it at all (possible classified post), and I'd definitely need to do more smoothing out if I decide to slap that thing on. Anyway, I'm glad to have the bow protected even if it's bumpy and ugly.

nice post some pics, i did a pvc bumper and it doesn't look all that great but at least i can drag my boat without worrying too much. a guy at the boat launch looked at me funny as I was trying to hurry into the water and just dragged my yak. I explained to him that there was a bumper lol and ive prolly wared down a 1/4 inch already

I achieved perhaps the most unsmooth and ugly surface possible. There were drinks involved, it was late, I was blabbing with my bro on the phone, etc. It'll probably earn me some funny looks, but I'm already planning to spring for another four-dollar thing of epoxy to make it look nice some time.

hey man if it works, how about just some plastic wrap to smooth it out? might get some wrinkles in it but w.e. As long as it works lol!

What brand epoxy? Did you try digging at it a little to test adhesion?

"Not sure what to do with the Gator Patch when it arrives in a day or two."

Drive to Bass Pro and return it. That's $70 back in your pocket!