Learn To Fix Your Boat

Programs and Pricing

Earn Up to $125/hour! LEARN GEL-COAT & POLYFLAKE REPAIR SKILLS. SIGN UP TODAY!

At Mini-Craft University Hands-On Workshops You Will Learn:

  • Cosmetic Gel-Coat Repair and Color Tinting
  • Polyflake Repair
  • General Fiberglass Repair
  • General Fiberglass Fabrication
  • Heavy-Duty Fiberglass Repair
  • Mold Making and Non-Skid Flex-Mold Repair

All Work Shops are by appointment only.

Once booked we will contact you to set up an appointment.

They start from October 2019 – May 2020.

Preregister up to 6 weeks in advance.

Maximum students are 2 per Work Shop.

WORKSHOP I

POLY FLAKE REPAIR
$2,897/ 2 days
  • Repair Stress Cracks and Scrapes
  • Learn the preparation procedures to achieve a level of repair.
  • Application of Flakes
  • Learn both wet and dry flake application techniques.
  • Clear Gelcoat Application Techniques
  • Learn how to eliminate “hazy buildup” and reduce water sanding time.

  • (Call for dates)

Sign Up

WORKSHOP II

GEL-COAT REPAIR AND COLOR TINTING
$2,697/ 2 Days
  • Color Matching
  • Learn the newest techniques in color matching.
  • Gel-Coat
  • Each student will work on a fiberglass boat section to repair air voids, stress cracks, scrapes/nicks, etc.
  • Gel-Coat Refurbishing
  • Learn the latest products for rejuvenating dull, faded Gel-Coat.

  • (Call for dates)

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Sign Up

WORKSHOP III

MOLD MAKING
$3,497/ 2 days

  • Plug Design and Construction

  • Build a wood plug and prepare a plug for the molding process.

  • Mold Construction

  • Build mold from the plug and prepare for production.

  • (Call for dates)

Sign Up

WORKSHOP IV

GENERAL FIBERGLASS FABRICATION
$2,597/ 2 days
  • Lay Up Scheduling
  • Learn how to develop a layup schedule for your production needs.
  • Implement Lay Up Schedule
  • Learn the most efficient and cost-effective method to fabricate a fiberglass mold or part.

  • (Call for dates)

Sign Up

WORKSHOP V

GENERAL FIBERGLASS REPAIR
$2,897/ 2 days
  • Punctures and Fractures
  • Learn the latest in coring materials to strengthen damaged areas.
  • “Lay-Up” Procedures
  • Learn the “lay-up” schedule to ensure stiffness and longevity.

  • (Call for dates)

Sign Up

WORKSHOP VI

HEAVY-DUTY FIBERGLASS REPAIR
$3,297/ 2 days
  • Floor and Deck
  • Replace wet and rotten core with new materials.
  • Transom and Stringers
  • Learn to replace transoms and stringers with the latest compounds and fiberglass.

  • (Call for dates)

Sign Up

WORKSHOP VII

NON-SKID FLEX MOLD REPAIR
$2,697/ 2 days

  • Flex-Mold

  • Learn to install Flex-Mold on a plug before making the mold.

  • Learn how to prepare Flex-Mold Non-Skid surfaces before starting the repair.

  • Learn to repair Flex-Mold Non-Skid patterns on any fiberglass surface.

  • (Call for dates)

Sign Up

Daily Schedule – All Classes

8:30 a.m. Class begins

10:15-10:30 a.m. Break

12:30-1:00 p.m. Lunch

3:15-3:30 p.m. Break

5:00 p.m. End of Day

Workshop Instructor

~ Paul LaCharite ~

Paul has been manufacturing Gel-Coat since 1976. He has also been involved with the application of Gel-Coat at both the OEM and repair yard levels since that time. In 1980, Paul became involved with the Mini-Craft of Florida Gel-Coat Division/quick Tint System, mastering the process of matching and adjusting colors. This process is completed in minutes, thereby shortening repair time. Shorter repair time equals higher profits for you! These techniques will be shared with you in the hands-on workshops.

Here’s what your colleagues are saying about the workshops:

“Very informative, enjoyed the hands-on versus a sit-down class. I felt it was worth every penny.”

– Oren Beach, East Coast Marine | Rye, NY

“The best class I have ever attended, very thorough, understand Gel-Coat better now than ever before.”

– Miles Bliss, Rochester Yacht Club | Rochester, NY

“The class was great. I learned more in two days of training than I have in two years in the field.”

– Brian Reese, Atlantic Yacht Sales | Middletown, NJ

Ask The Professor!

(FAQ)

What do I need to purchase to fix my Gel-Coat damages on my boat?

First, you will need to determine the type of damage that the Gel-Coat on your boat has. If it has chips, scratches, and ding, the Gel-Coat Putty Paste will work fine. For worn or thin spots, or heavy scratched area's you will need to respray the damaged areas.

What different types of repair kits do Mini-Craft of Florida Inc. offer for these repairs?

We make the Patch Putty pint repair kit, for the chip, ding, and scratched areas. We offer a good selection of Liquid Gel-Coat spray repair kits. 

Who can fix the damaged Gel-Coat on my Boat?

Some of the minor repairs can be made by you as the boat owner. Should you not want to make these repair yourself, you should look for a Marina or Company that specializes in Gel-Coat repairs using the Mini-Craft McKote Gel-Coat product line to do your boat repairs.

In addition to the Marine Industry, What other industries use the Mini-Craft McKote Gel-Coat Product Line?

We make special Gelkotes for resurfacing Fiberglass Pools, Water Tanks, Motor Cycle Parts, Automotive Car Parts, Golf Cart Parts, and the list goes on. All fiberglass fabrication usually will have a Gel-Coat finish on them that will need some type of Repair's to be done sooner or later.

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