Fiberglass Repair

[crestlinermusky]

I have an 18 ft Trihull, got caught outrunning a storm today with 5 ft waves
I heard the crack on one of the waves
lo and behold upon return to the ramp, I see a three foot crack in the hull
I know how to fix it , question is? Should I grind off the gel coat off the hull to
repair the outside or will the fiberglass repair bond properly to the gel coat


Mark

 

[jbcurt00]

Post some pix of the crack

Yes there will be some gelcoat removal

 

[ondarvr]

Before you start any repairs inspect the hull much closer for rotten stringers and transom. The hull should NOT crack from being in waves, even large large ones, unless there were already structural issues.

 

[Woodonglass]

I'm pretty sure ondarvr meant to say the hull should NOT crack from being in large waves unless there were structural issues with the stringers and also possibly the transom. Do you have any soft spots in the deck? How old is the boat?

 

[ondarvr]

Correct, there should be a NOT in there.

 

[jbcurt00]

Correct, there should be a NOT in there.

NOT has been added for clarity

 

[crestlinermusky]

Knot is where I went wrong. The boat is a 1979 and 5 years ago I rebuilt the floor and stringers
using knotty pine. When I opened it up today, one stringer had broken in two places where there are
knots in the wood. I am wondering if treated lumber would be best and will the epoxy resin stick to it

 

[Woodonglass]

I'd Highly recommend fabricating your stringers from ext. grade plywood for the very reason you just experienced. Two layers of 3/4" plywood laminated together would never have the problem of breaking under any condition like you encountered. If you glass em to the hull in the appropriate manner your hull will be able to withstand just about anything. :thumb: