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Random Quote: Seems to me like you're confusing effort with results.
This is the bow area on the 13 Whaler that I am going to freshen up this winter... The gel coat is completely warn through in some areas (been trying to figure WTF happened to it... Anyway; Should I use a coat or two of High Build to bring it back to a paintable surface or isn't it the right thing for the job?
Wow.....the previous owner was a creature of habit huh? LOL
Or maybe there was an attempt to paint the boat and someone went at it with a sander. Either way I think some gel coat would do it. If you plan to paint then boat then probably the high build.
If your talking high build as in Awlgrip High Build epoxy primer (or a similar product) and you're going to paint it with a top coat, then yes, it will work fine. Don't use epoxy primer with out a topcoat and leave it to the sun as it doesn't do well against UV.
You could also slap some gelcoat on it and call it a day if you wish. Finish depends on how much work you put into it.
Disclaimer: If you see emoticons, that means the above is written in jest. It is for entertainment purposes only. It is not meant to represent any actual persons, places, or things. It is the opinion of the poster that it is funny. Your opinion may vary. No animals were harmed in the typing of this post but a few egos may have been bruised.
If your talking high build as in Awlgrip High Build epoxy primer (or a similar product) and you're going to paint it with a top coat, then yes, it will work fine. Don't use epoxy primer with out a topcoat and leave it to the sun as it doesn't do well against UV.
You could also slap some gelcoat on it and call it a day if you wish. Finish depends on how much work you put into it.
I planned to do a roll and tip method paint job...
You and Chris make it sound like gel coat would be easier.... I never worked with either (or did the roll and tip paint)... I envisioned the High build product to be something thick enough that you squeege on and finish sand... Never considered gel coating it, would that be easier? The glas strands are 'raised'..... I'm not spraying anything... As for the finished product... I'd like it to be worth the effort, but not attempting a show quality finish. Boats purpose is to keep my other boat from getting beat up, it's is used to carry dogs and beach chairs to the sandbar 90% of the time it's not a the dock.
If the strands are raised, you may want to use some resin and filler to build it flush, then gel coat it. The resin and filler can be squeegied on, and then sanded to give a nice finished surface. This is a fairly large area, which looks like it has been exposed for some time--and I suspect that it was exposed to sunlight for quite some time.
the area looks like you might want a texture to help prevent slipping.
You could tape off the area to make an equal/uniform pattern in the bow area and then roll gell coat. It should leave some texture or for something more agressive . just as the gel coat starts to go off. run the roller over it and it raises grippy bumps.
If the strands are raised, you may want to use some resin and filler to build it flush, then gel coat it...............
looks like it has been exposed for some time--and I suspect that it was exposed to sunlight for quite some time.
The 4 years or so I've owned it, it has looked like it does now... Sits outside in the sun 6 months a year. Probably 1/2 of what it did in the years before I got it.
High Build is a great product. It sands easy and gives a nice finish, but it is soft. You should go with a coat or two of 545 primer first. Much harder, more durable and better adhesion. Then go with high build and get your finish.
I hope I don't need to buy a gallon of each of these things... The photo represents about 80% of the area effected....
If you talking a gallon each of the primers, probably not. Reason being they need to be mixed at a 1:1 ratio with their respective converter, then add to that any percent of reducer desired. It would be more efficient to rough up, clean and then fair over the exposed glass area with a appropriate filler. You could mix a small amount of 545 which needs to sit at least fifteen minute for induction, slowly blend in a bit of cabosil to thicken then squeege apply. Ovecoat with primer when cured then sand, reprime and sand again until ready for a topcoat.
High Build to replace warn gel coat? 
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