Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

[Gearhead62]

Re: Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

Update

Against conventional wisdom, I wound up using the Bondo-Glass to fill void (first pic). Given time crunch, I could not locate all of the ingredients for pb - missing cabosil, but I'll stock up, be ready for next project (or if this one fails).

I got a backer plate in the void portion, packed the mix in, pulled it up against clean sanded glass, laid more filler in the the entire gash distance to give me some build-up for reshaping the keel line....Let it set, sanded to contour, cleaned and started the layering process (pic 2)....Got a total of 5 layers glassed in w/ poly. Did 2 layers, set, sanded then 3 more, sanded, final thin coat of poly. All are correct - messy ordeal, but I had to try it and I'm glad I did.

Nothing to compare it to, but seemed to work fine - Before I could snap a final shot (I'll get a final pic shortly), kids put boat on trailer, on water last nite for bow fishing, inspected this AM, no visible issues. I'll defintely keep an eye on this.

As one can tell, its a hack repair for a hack boat,....last question on final finish, and we're not into looking good here - going cheap - Can I paint / topcoat the repair and the bottom of the boat, instead of gel coat, and what paint am I looking for? Rough up the good gelcoat, prime / no prime?

Thanks

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

I dont understand why this boat is in the water...

YD.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

I've always wanted to bow fish. Looks fun.

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

I dont understand why this boat is in the water...

YD.

Doesn't look like its on the water to me, looks like its upside down getting a half azz repair to get it fishing again.:facepalm:

In all seriousness OP, the way you have done it is not text book but will probably do the job. I would sand down both sides of the keel about 6 inches on both sides and add a few layers of csm fiberglass. Wipe with acetone, Wet out the area with resin that you have patched and then add your glass and then resin, repeat. Once 3 stepped layers have been layed, sand smooth and gelcoat. You don't want a paint on the bottom of your boat imo. Gelcoating is easy and takes very little time. Last coat should have wax in it for curing.

Take the time to do this, and I bet you have no worries. The glass work and gelcoating can all be done in one day. Good luck.

 

[Gearhead62]

Re: Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

CC254
If you read my last post (#41), I have 5 layers total on there, after the filler - mix of biax and csm. That last pic was before adding 3 layers of the 5 total..........Then sanded, and final "resin only" coat, dried smooth. Are you saying add 3 more?
GH62

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

CC254
If you read my last post (#41), I have 5 layers total on there, after the filler - mix of biax and csm. That last pic was before adding 3 layers of the 5 total..........Then sanded, and final "resin only" coat, dried smooth. Are you saying add 3 more?
GH62

Nope, just missed your post. Gelcoat that baby!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

Yep, Bondo, as I said before is NOT the recommended Best stuff to use but with what you have done, it'll last a while. Paint with rusoleum or Roll on some gelcoat. Only the fish will know.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

I dont understand why this boat is in the water...

YD.

Doesn't look like its on the water to me, looks like its upside down getting a half azz repair to get it fishing again.:facepalm:

Sorry.. I thought he suggested the boat was IN the water..

- Before I could snap a final shot (I'll get a final pic shortly), kids put boat on trailer, on water last nite for bow fishing, inspected this AM, no visible issues. I'll defintely keep an eye on this.

From the pics it looks like there was only about a 3" feather on the repair. ( 4" palm sander in the backround for comparison ).

You Might get away with this. I would have ground out a bit more on the feather.

I personally would add a few more layers of glass..then use some crap paint over it for now. ..

YD.

 

[Gearhead62]

Re: Gash in Fiberglass Keel - Quick Repair Option

Update

Boat actually was on the water, as stated in post 41, and last nite as well....Came back dry inside and looked fine outside. The young bowfishers are content. Mission accomplished.

From these pics, you can see I did feather it back a bit more to get more of an long oval for total area, and for the last 3 layers (total 5) and then the final resin...looked / felt solid and a little beefier than original contour. Gotta get some non-black keel rollers though

Crappy paint - now finally someone's talking my language.......This boat is not about appearance - its all about function - just wanted to get kids back on water so I can start working on my boat and other things!!. With paint or gelcoat, this project is complete.

I know some of the experts have freaked out with my Bondo-Glass app, but I used it for the fill process and we'll see where it takes us, how it holds up.

Thanks again for support and guidance - Now have a fair level of confidence for the next glass project
GH62