epoxy or poly for bow/keel reglassing ?

[bassmanhb]

hello everyone, been awhile since ive been on the forums ! just picked up this little ranger bass boat that in great original shape..... except for the beach rash, keel dings/gouges ..... transom is good and dry (drill test) same as the stringers. whoever had the boat before me hit the trailer while loading by the looks of it and caused some good dings and gouges (sp) ? anyway they used something to fix (fix used loosley here) it that is ugly as all get out but it did seal it so i ground that all off and now have it down to fiberglass more so than the picture shows..... and just trying to figure out what is best to use on this repair ? epoxy or poly as im going to re gelcoat it when done ..... any and all help is appreciated and thank you in advance

 

[DeepBlue2010]

hello everyone, been awhile since ive been on the forums ! just picked up this little ranger bass boat that in great original shape..... except for the beach rash, keel dings/gouges ..... transom is good and dry (drill test) same as the stringers. whoever had the boat before me hit the trailer while loading by the looks of it and caused some good dings and gouges (sp) ? anyway they used something to fix (fix used loosley here) it that is ugly as all get out but it did seal it so i ground that all off and now have it down to fiberglass more so than the picture shows..... and just trying to figure out what is best to use on this repair ? epoxy or poly as im going to re gelcoat it when done ..... any and all help is appreciated and thank you in advance

Then Epoxy is out of the question. gelcoat will not adhere well to epoxy. Poly resin will do the job just fine. Try to post some close ups. You might want to add few layers of 1708 glass but I can't tell from the picture

 

[bassmanhb]

deep, thanks for the response.... i am planning on using csm and 1708 layered to fix it then gecoat when done is the picture not showing up for you ? i have 1 thats about as close as i can get and keep it in focus...


mitch

 

[Scott Danforth]

i would patch it up with either, then install a keel guard

 

[DeepBlue2010]

The picture was showing but I had hard time determine the depth of your grinding on my cell phone. Looks better now on the big screen.



I would investigate the areas I marked in red a little more. On the right, this yellow color could be a loose/dry laminate. If so, grind it off. I would also grind a little more on the left until you reach a good flat fiberglass.

No need for CSM, 1708 already has a layer of CSM in it.
Trace the deepest area on a transparent film and cut a piece of 1708 to fit this area and so on. Start with the deepest layer followed by the shallower and so on.

Finally, sand, fair and apply your desired finish

 

[kcassells]

Either way if you're gonna hit the dirt like that then get a keel gaurd like Scott recommended.

 

[bassmanhb]

kcassels , LOL please read the post i don't hit the dirt as you call it..... i just bought the boat knowing this damage was done by previous owner looks he hit the trailer as it wasn't set up right for the boat ...... i don't ever beach my boats......

 

[JASinIL2006]

What did he fix that damage with originally? Looks like chocolate pudding mixed with epoxy!

 

[bassmanhb]

JAS,
im not really sure what it was i think it was an epoxy of some kind or maybe bondo but not really sure , it was hard as a rock and a pain to remove ! lol

 

[bassmanhb]

well here is another picture after grinding all the crap off ..... now just needs to be sanded a bit then time to lay the glass i hope ....

 

[gm280]

well here is another picture after grinding all the crap off ..... now just needs to be sanded a bit then time to lay the glass i hope ....

Your latest picture look 100% better. You ground it out nicely. Use Polyester and even Cabosil and 1/4" fiberglass mixture to fill in the area. It will get hard as a rock and then you can feather the filler in nicely and gel coat over that without any problems. JMHO

 

[DeepBlue2010]

No need for any more sanding. This looks good enough. Run a straight edge on it to get a feel of how deep it is. Clean very well with Acetone on one direction and clean rags (or the side of the rag) with each pass. Use some thickened resin with cabosil + 1/4 inch glass to fill those nooks and crannies. Add the cabosil and the glass after you catalyze the resin. I would use vinyl ester resin for this job. If the recessed area can be filler with a small cut of 1708, favor this over filling it with the peanut butter mix (the common name for the thickened resin above)

After the filler hardens, use a 3 inch wide strip of 1708, wet it first away from the keel. Wet the keel and put the glass with its center line on the keel extending 1.5 inch (give or take) on each side of the hull.

Cut another peace of 1708 enough to cover the whole repair area and put it on using the same technique. After the resin cure, sand, fair and finish

 

[bassmanhb]

thank gents good to hear, as soon as my poly and other things get here i will get to work and hopefully have it finished by next weekend so my wife can have the garage back and i wont be in trouble for hogging it lol ordering from us composites and says 4 to 5 days for shipping...

 

[kcassells]

except for the beach rash, keel dings/gouges .... I must misunderstood but good to know. Works looking just fine.

 

[bassmanhb]

morning , just have another quick question for you all. once i get the glass on and ready for the gel coat do i just add the wax in the final layer of glass/resin so i can sand then apply the gel coat ? thanks

 

[ondarvr]

morning , just have another quick question for you all. once i get the glass on and ready for the gel coat do i just add the wax in the final layer of glass/resin so i can sand then apply the gel coat ? thanks

Only in the last layer.

 

[bassmanhb]

ondarvr , thank you i thought that was right just wanted to double check with the pros .... also just wondering how much gel coat i will need for this ? any ideas ? 2 to 3 coats would a quart be enough ? i have to run into town this morning so i thought i would check out a local place that says they have poly resin on sale..... would save me from having to pay shipping costs if they have what i need....

 

[DeepBlue2010]

A pint would cover it with plenty to spare but I doubt you can find gel by the pint; so if you find a quart of gel, get it but definitely no more.

 

[bassmanhb]

deep, thanks again for the help iv'e got my resin and glass here now so will be starting on it soon (weather permitting}...... if i would choose to just paint the repair area what kind of paint would everyone suggest ? also thinking about the keel gaurd as an added layer of protection ...... hope to get things rolling again .


mitch

 

[JASinIL2006]

deep, thanks again for the help iv'e got my resin and glass here now so will be starting on it soon (weather permitting**...... if i would choose to just paint the repair area what kind of paint would everyone suggest ? also thinking about the keel gaurd as an added layer of protection ...... hope to get things rolling again .


mitch

Keel guard or keel shields are nice! That will protect your repaired area if you plan to beach your boat regularly. I put a KeelShield on my boat and I really like it.