Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

[IM Buddy8]

I really don't want to talk about how this happened.. Happened today, I used the boat a few hours after and it didn't' seem to take on much water at all, but I'm not sure if using it like this will result in more damage or water to leak though?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

Doubt water will leak through for a while but if strands are showing water will be absorbed-- wicked. Are those black lines additional cracks? Not a good idea using it until repaired-- and may need remove the gelcoat from additional damaged areas and fixing all at once.

Something hit hard..... or she rolled off the trailer.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

A gel coat repair kit will probably do the trick or even a small amount of marine tex however....... I don't like the look of the corrosion around the drain plug hole. Yes get it fixed asap.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

I have repaired FG on some of my boats. You seem to have adequate matt backing. You can probably go to the mfgr with boat SN and get the exact color of material. I did on a blue Caravelle I knocked a similar chunk out of. Read up on how to do it and make it look nice before you start it. The boat restoration section of this site would be a good place to start. Like any 2 part resin-hardner, it gets hard fast and you need to have the surface where you want it.

HTH,
Mark

 

[IM Buddy8]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

Doubt water will leak through for a while but if strands are showing water will be absorbed-- wicked. Are those black lines additional cracks? Not a good idea using it until repaired-- and may need remove the gelcoat from additional damaged areas and fixing all at once.

Something hit hard..... or she rolled off the trailer.

The black lines, some of them were there when I bought it, but I think some may have appeared after this roll off of trailer (stupid winch lock and bumpy ramp)..

Are those hairline cracks usually bad? Or should I be OK with just fising the big gouge from the corner?

 

[etracer68]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

Sounds like a bow safety chain, would be in order too. Belive me, we all here at Iboats, have done stupid things too. A FG kit should do the job, I would then go over the surface cracks with the clear.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

Sounds like a bow safety chain, would be in order too. Belive me, we all here at Iboats, have done stupid things too. A FG kit should do the job, I would then go over the surface cracks with the clear.

maybe that guy in OK should see this...

this is a common damage spot around here where a boat may be launched too shallow. Assum9ing "perfect restoration for appearance" is not an objective, just fiberglass it: cloth, resin, hardener. Don't skip the cloth for this one; plain resin is too brittle for the next time.

If cosmetics matter a little, or to hide your mistake, just spray paint it white. That part of the boat is underwater; who cares.

while you're at it you can seal around the plug hole although you may want to reinstall it. If you don't use that hole for draining while runing, consider a screw-in garboard.

 

[NYBo]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

A gel coat repair kit will probably do the trick or even a small amount of marine tex however....... I don't like the look of the corrosion around the drain plug hole. Yes get it fixed asap.

+1 That drain fitting really concerns me. I would replace it entirely, and pray I don't find watwer intrusion and rot in the transom in that area.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

While working the area those hairline cracks may be next to give a problem. I'd clean those out if anywhere loose or wide enough for a knife point. Do it all at once but be certain the transom has not rot or it will eventually fail. If the transom is bad the repair will take care of the ding.
I owned ONE roller trailer and had no problems,, but will never have another.

+1 That drain fitting really concerns me. I would replace it entirely, and pray I don't find watwer intrusion and rot in the transom in that area.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

Well now I guess you are totally confused. Good luck!

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

If that damaged area absorbed any moisture, it has to come out, before you can make a good repair. Sand it a bit and see if it is wet. If not wipe with Acetone and putty with marine-tex if the hole is not deep. Grind out any wet glass, until you get to clean, dry glass. If deep you need some cloth or mat and some resin to fix it up. While you are at it, grind out those stress cracks and fix them as well. That is a place where there should be no cracks. It is a very strong part of the boat.

 

[IM Buddy8]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

Marine Tex Heavy Duty Structural Epoxy Putty White | eBay

Do you think this would be enough to fix this spot? Also is this a good material to fix this with? I know it's white and my gelcoat is tan, is there an easy way to at least tint this tan a tiny bit so it's not bright white on tan? Not a big deal, I don't care too much about the look just want my boat strong and water tight!

Do you think I should get gelcoat or marine tex to fix this? What is a stronger material that's easy to work with and is a nice and tight seal? Does anyone have any pics of a job done with marine tex in a similar situation? Or maybe a video?

Thank you for the advise guys, really wish this didn't happen.. Missed out on two full days of being able to use the boat, I don't want to use it anymore until it's not susceptible to water back there.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Fiberglass Stern Damage, Just re-coat with Gel?

I would do it right,,, the ding, drain hole, and new or expanded cracks. You will be happier and it will match color too.

Marine Tex Heavy Duty Structural Epoxy Putty White | eBay

Do you think this would be enough to fix this spot? Also is this a good material to fix this with? I know it's white and my gelcoat is tan, is there an easy way to at least tint this tan a tiny bit so it's not bright white on tan? Not a big deal, I don't care too much about the look just want my boat strong and water tight!

Do you think I should get gelcoat or marine tex to fix this? What is a stronger material that's easy to work with and is a nice and tight seal? Does anyone have any pics of a job done with marine tex in a similar situation? Or maybe a video?

Thank you for the advise guys, really wish this didn't happen.. Missed out on two full days of being able to use the boat, I don't want to use it anymore until it's not susceptible to water back there.