Need advice on bottom paint chips and scratches

[karonoko]

I have prowled around the forum for a straight answer and can't find one... My bottom has a few spots where bottom paint has flaked off, scratches from someone handling my boat stands, flaking around the bearing set screw area, etc. Nothing more than say 3 inches diameter. There are also some mysterious areas of slight cracking in the bottom paint. I'd like to fair and fill the layers to even out with the rest of the hull before I apply my bi-annual VC 17 (Lake Superior).

Just sand and then paint ablative? fill with epoxy or filler? If so, which one? If filled with epoxy/filler do I just go over with ablative or put some bottom paint on first? At some point I will sand and re-paint the bottom, but for now, I prefer to touch up and sail Scotia.

Advice very welcome. Thanks. (It's May 5 and the ice in the marina is about 90% gone......). Many thanks! Tom.

[Jim Walsh]

I just sand each spring to feather the edges and apply my fresh coat of paint. At some point I'll remove all the old paint but not any time soon.

[Steve Laume]

I would not fill unless you use something very soft and easy to remove later. I have no idea what that would be so just don't fill the peeling parts.

Jim has the right idea but you know what you need to do.

Raven had peeling spots when I first took over. I got right to work that first winter with hand scrapers and took the entire bottom down to the gel coat. I knew I would never have more enthusiasm for the job than I did that first year. I am so glad I did it and now the bottom paint stays on and is nice and smooth.

If I had it to do over, I would hire a guy with a soda blaster, Steve.