Scratch & Gouge Repair
Remove scratches, scuffs and gouges to restore a smooth, like-new finish.
Learn More about Scratch & Gouge Repair
Gelcoat Repair — Tampa Bay, Florida
Gelcoat Repair &
Color Matching
Restore the finish. Protect the fiberglass.
Get your boat looking right again.
We repair gelcoat scratches, chips, cracks, oxidation, fading, gouges, dock rash, trailer damage, impact damage, air voids and provide expert color matching across Tampa Bay.
- Same Boats.New Beginnings.
- 50+ YearsExperience
- Mobile ServiceWe Come to You
- Serving Tampa Bay& Surrounding Areas
Our Gelcoat Repair Services
Professional Gelcoat Repair — From Small Chips to Full Cosmetic Restoration.
Whether it’s a minor scratch or extensive cosmetic damage, we restore your boat’s finish with expert craftsmanship and color matching.
Gelcoat Chip Repair
Repair chips from dock rash, trailer damage and everyday wear.
Learn More about Gelcoat Chip Repair
Crack & Spider Crack Repair
Fix cracks and spider cracks before they spread or allow water intrusion.
Learn More about Gelcoat Crack Repair
Oxidation & Fading Restoration
Bring back color and gloss to sun-faded, chalky gelcoat.
Learn More about Oxidation Restoration
Dock & Trailer Damage
Repair impact damage, dock rash and trailer wear along hulls, gunwales and more.
Learn More about Dock & Trailer Damage
Why Gelcoat Damage Gets Worse
Small Damage Can Lead
to Big Problems.
Gelcoat isn’t just about looks — it protects the fiberglass underneath. When it’s cracked, chipped or worn, water, UV rays and everyday stress can cause deeper damage that’s more expensive to repair.
- UV ExposureBreaks down the finish over time, causing fading and chalking.
- Water IntrusionCracks and chips can allow water to reach the fiberglass.
- Repeated FlexingConstant movement can spread damage and create new cracks.
- Exposed LaminateOnce gelcoat is compromised, the underlying fiberglass can delaminate or weaken.
Our Gelcoat Repair Process
Built Right. Step by Step.
We use proven techniques and marine-grade materials to ensure a seamless, long-lasting repair.
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Inspect & Prepare
Assess the damage, determine the best repair method, and properly prep the surface.
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Repair & Rebuild
Fill, shape and rebuild damaged areas using high-quality gelcoat and composite materials.
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Color Match
Use professional color matching systems to ensure an exact blend with your existing gelcoat.
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Sand & Polish
Wet sand, compound and polish for a smooth, glossy, like-new finish.
Exact Match. Seamless Results.
Color Matching Is Where
the Repair Disappears.
Every boat is different. Gelcoat colors change over time due to UV exposure, weather, age, catalyst, temperature and the surrounding finish. We use professional color matching tools and experience to create a seamless blend that looks factory original.
Learn More About Color Matching
Before & After Results
View More Repairs
Why Matching Is an Art
Why a Factory Match
Is Only the Starting Point.
A gelcoat repair earns top marks when it cannot be found and stays that way for years. Like a fine meal, that starts with good ingredients, and the hardest ingredient to get right is the color. The newer the boat, the easier the match. After that, four things pull the cured color away from the number on the can.
That is why we keep hundreds of shades on the shelf, from off-whites through blues, browns, greens and reds, and why even the best gelcoat technicians do not always get it right the first time. It takes test batches and adjustment until the repair simply disappears.
- Age fades the pigment Sun and salt bleach the pigments in the original gelcoat. A factory-matched gelcoat is the color the boat was, so on an older hull it still needs tweaking to make an undetectable repair.
- Builders buy from different makers Boat manufacturers source gelcoat from several suppliers, and the batches vary slightly. Two boats with the same color name can be two slightly different whites.
- The catalyst ratio shifts the color Gelcoat is catalyzed anywhere from 1.25% to 2%, and the ratio changes the cured color. The same gelcoat, mixed hotter or cooler, cures to a different shade.
- So do temperature and humidity Even at the same catalyst ratio, a change in temperature or humidity on the day changes how the gelcoat cures and the color it ends up.
What We Repair
Fiberglass Surfaces
Throughout Your Boat.
We repair all types of gelcoat damage on boats of any size, from small cosmetic repairs to major restorations.
- Hulls (above & below waterline)
- Decks & Non-Skid Areas (gelcoat)
- Gunwales & Rub Rails
- Consoles & Helm Pods
- Swim Platforms
- Hatches & Storage Lids
- Steps & Transom Areas
- Corners & Edges
- T-Top Bases & Livewells
- And More Custom Surfaces
Built on Decades of Experience
Trusted by Boaters
Across Tampa Bay.
For over 50 years, Captain Levi’s has been the trusted choice for fiberglass and gelcoat repairs. Quality work, honest service, and real results.
- 50+ Years ExperienceProven. Reliable. Local.
- Family Owned & OperatedReal People. Real Care.
- Marine-Grade MaterialsBuilt for Florida conditions.
- Shop + Mobile ServiceAt our yard or at your dock.
Serving the Tampa Bay Area
Largo, FL & Surrounding Areas
We’re based in Largo and proudly serve boaters throughout Tampa Bay and Pinellas County, including:
- Largo
- Safety Harbor
- Clearwater
- Seminole
- St. Petersburg
- Treasure Island
- Tampa
- Tarpon Springs
- Dunedin
- And surrounding Pinellas County communities
Ready to Repair the Damage?
Get a free quote or talk directly with Captain Dave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Got Questions?
We’ve Got Answers.
Can you match my boat’s existing gelcoat?
Yes. We tint gelcoat to the boat’s current colour — not the factory code — because UV and age shift every finish. We test the mix on the hull before it goes on so the repair blends in.
Can you repair cracks before applying gelcoat?
Always. We open up each crack, find its cause, repair the fiberglass beneath if needed, and only then apply new gelcoat. Gelcoat over an unrepaired crack just cracks again.
Do you repair deep gouges?
Yes. Gouges that reach the laminate are ground out, filled with the right fiberglass or filler, then re-gelcoated, sanded and polished so the area is sealed and the repair disappears.
Can you repair gelcoat at my dock?
Most chips, scratches, dock rash and oxidation work can be done at your dock or trailer anywhere in Tampa Bay. Larger restorations are done at our Largo yard.
How do I know if the damage is only cosmetic?
Surface scratches, chalking and small chips usually are. Cracks that keep returning, soft or flexing areas, or damage near fittings can point to a structural problem underneath — we check for that during the inspection.
How long does a gelcoat repair take?
Small chip and scratch repairs are often done in a day. Larger areas, colour-matched panels or full oxidation restoration can take several days, depending on size and cure time.
CONTACT US
We’re Here to Help
Have gelcoat damage you want looked at, need a quote, or ready to schedule? Fill out the form or give us a call — we’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Your boat deserves the best, and we’re here to make it happen.
- 50+ Years ExperienceTrusted. Proven. Local.
- Mobile ServiceWe come to you.
- Family OwnedReal people. Real care.
- Tampa BayLargo, FL & surrounding areas.
Request a Free Quote
Tell us about your boat and the damage. We’ll get back to you quickly.