2- 3' sawzall cuts in hull

[Lavender1959]

Ok, go have a pee so you won't wet your pants on this one. I went to take the old, mostly rotten floor out of my new to me (but old) Cobia and didn't read here first. Therefore I went through the hull where the floor comes to a corner just under the steering column. By the time I noticed daylight I had a couple of blade hole about 2"-3" long. I've read a lot here on hull patches and decided there are a multitude of different opinions on the subject.<br />I'll have access to the patch from inside the hull, since I've removed the floor leaving the good wood and will build a higher floor from that.<br />First what is actually the most permanent proper patch to do. These are really very small blade thickness patches. Also I'd like to mention I'm on the Gulf of Mexico and although I don't generally take her out in the gulf there are still very large, boat beating waves here on the bays so I want to be sure I don't leave any weakness in the hull due to improper patching.<br />I'll be glassing the floor. It's been suggested by the person helping me here that I use the resin to fill it then matt and glass it.<br />Also I was wondering, since it's a Cobia and has two seperate watertight compartments down the center it was suggested that I modify them by creating a drain system of sorts (cutting a drain hole from 1st compartment into the 2nd then putting a drain hole with drain plug from 2nd compartment into the bilge area). I need definite feedback on this as I'd prefer to leave it as was manufactured having 2 airtight compartments. Reckon what I need to know is what should I be most concerned about to be sure I get an airtight floor that won't allow water into these compartments? I plan to resin all floor peices 2-3 times prior to install then glass over them and 4" up the side walls. Seems to me if I do this properly I should have a watertight floor? Do I assume correctly? <br />I don't want to end up with another mess like the hole in the hull just to ease the ego of my helpers, know what I mean? <br />I do appreciate your expert opinins.<br />Thanx

 

[Lavender1959]

Re: 2- 3' sawzall cuts in hull

Woops, heading says 2-3', it's actually as the post says and only 2"-3", Thank The Lord!!!

 

[swire]

Re: 2- 3' sawzall cuts in hull

LOL, I just did the same thing...except I didn't have a 2 to 3 inch cut, I cut out a piece 16 inches long and about a foot wide.<br /><br />Here's my thread and what I did to repair it. Your repairs should be much eaiser.<br /><br /> Cut a big hole in my hull

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: 2- 3' sawzall cuts in hull

Originally posted by Soggy Britches:<br />I'll have access to the patch from inside the hull,

You'll be fine. The only thing I might suggest is to bevel the cuts on the outside before you fill them.<br /><br />If the outside part of the patch is larger than the cut on the inside, the repair material shouldn't ever push its way back inside from the outside water pressure, causing a leak or seepage. Sort of like the way a rivet head holds something.<br /><br />Then, with a double thickness or so strip of fiberglass & resin a couple of inches wider than the cut on the inside,,,, I'd call it a good solid repair.