12’ Livingston seeping water through sidewall

[jones.scott03]

Looking for some help with a 12’ Livingston. This is a very old boat that I picked up for free with a trailer. I only use the boat 3-4 trips a year but I want to fix it up a little to make it more reliable for duck hunting. The boat has no gel coat it is just paint over the top of fiberglass. The main problem I have is on one side of the boat there is some seeping through the sidewall. No “hole” to speak of just seeping in 7-8 spots. Only leaks when not under power. I want to repaint regardless but will paint fix these issues on its own or do I need sand down and add some epoxy and fiberglass? Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

welcome aboard.

without pics, we would be guessing

however by the sounds of your post, I would suspect that there is a prior botched repair that needs to be redone correctly

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Sounds like water is being pushed into the layers of fiberglass from a small crack, gouge, or scrape in the paint. A quick sand and some paint with a catalyst hardener may work for a while. A permanent repair will require sanding all the paint off in that area. You should be able to see where the water is getting into the layers of glass by some discoloration as you sand.

 

[airshot]

Fiberglass itself is not water proof, it will absorb water over time, so a gelcoat is added on top to seal and make the glass mat waterproof. Paint of good quality will probably seal for a short oeriod of time but us not a permanent solution !!! Others may chime in here with more experience in paint covered fiberglass.

 

[jones.scott03]

Thanks for the Info everyone! I was able to grab some photos on my way home hopefully they get attached. They clearly show where paint has been scraped off from loading and unloading. There is one small damaged portion that needs fiberglass patches. Hopefully I can try sanding on the boat and see if that exposes where water has been leaking. If I do need to add any fiberglass would you just epoxy and lay 1708 or would you need to take additional steps. Thanks again for all the help

 

[Scott Danforth]

1708 requires poly resin because it has CSM stitched to it

1700 is for use with epoxy

I wouldn't use epoxy, I would only use poly and 1708/csm

Your pics show holes in the side of your boat at the chine. To repair, sand down to good fiberlass and patch as needed

 

[jones.scott03]

Any reason for using poly and not epoxy? I haven't done fiberglass work before and I don’t know if the current glass is poly or not?

 

[Baylinerchuck]

You can use either. I use poly myself because it’s cheaper, requires no prep for gel coat, and it’s what the manufacturer use when they built my boat. Since you are painting the boat, epoxy is fine to use.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Any reason for using poly and not epoxy? I haven't done fiberglass work before and I don’t know if the current glass is poly or not?

Poly is cheaper, sets quicker and works with 1708.

Your hull would have been done with poly

However up to you on which one you want to use

 

[jones.scott03]

Thanks again for all the great info. It will be a while before I get to work so I appreciate the help.