If you have exposed fibers from grinding in the bilge, then a thin layer of vinylester probably can't hurt. Vinylester has good water and chemical resistance, works like polyester and has the elongation of epoxy (as it is partly an epoxy chemistry). Strick mentioned (and I agree) that an old school bilge coating is just gel coat. With or without duratec high gloss additive. It will stick to polyester or vinylester, but not epoxy. If you buy non-waxed vinylester, you can put this down, then coat with waxed gel coat over the top with no sanding in between if you follow up in a reasonable time frame. (Without wax, polyesters and vinylesters don't cure on the very surface- the air inhibits this. Most resins include wax that floats to the top to allow the cure on the side that sees air)
I am on a tirade against wood this year as I keep dealing with rotten stuff. But plenty of people use it successfully. So don't take my comments as that you did something wrong.
Merton's fiberglass in Springfield, MA is worth checking out if you haven't already.
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