GRP / Fibreglass / gel coat ?!?

[schmooser]

OK, another some more 'schoolboy' questions, sorry for the ramblings but I am slowly learning .....<br /><br />I've recently got myself a 15 foot fishing boat (pix here). I'm trying to figure out just what the hull may be made of. I am a complete novice at this (and spending much time browsing through the forum and getting to grips I think with the terminology!) and after tips on what I should be looking for. It is a single skin hull, with no obvious floatation. When I lift the floor boards the inside of the hull is spiders web of threads which I am assuming is fibreglass matting. This extends an inch or up the support struts (are they the stringers?) but appears to not be adhering in a few sections. The outside of the hull has been painted a couple of times.<br /><br />So here's the thing, the boat didn't cost me much and I don't want to spend much on it, and certainly am not too bothered with aesthetics. I am just keen to do what I can to give the whole underside of the hull a once over before I take it out. The boat has several layers of paint (not fresh which I would have been suspicious of) and the underside has clearly seen some use. I have found one area fairly central near the central runner that gives a bit to the touch so am assuming a crack (although no visible crack on the inside of the hull) and suspect that due to it's age the paint may be hiding more sins a once over coat of some sturdy coating would not go amiss over the whole of the underneath to waterproof any minor imperfections.<br /><br />So a plan could be:<br /><br />

• <br />
• Cut back loose fibreglass inside the hull, and relay some matting and resin then paint to rebond the stringers<br />
• Paint strip (Sanding or using fibreglass friendly remover) the underside, white parts in photos above<br />
• Place a section of matting and resin around the area of give on the underside<br />
• Then assuming I don't find any major defects give the whole of the underside a couple of layers of quality paint (any recomendations?). Will a few layers of paint be enough for small spider type / hairline cracking or should I use gel coat or any other products you could suggest??<br />

<br /> <br />Also, will it be obvious to me when I've gone through the paint or could I risk sanding down any gel coat without realising - How do I know if it even has gelcoat? At the mo I don't think I'd know what gel coat was if it kicked me in the rear!<br /><br />I also stress that this does not have to be a perfect expert job, so for the purists out there I am more than happy with any products that may be frowned upon by professional boaters but will be more than adequate for my amateur (and cash strapped) needs

 

[Mark42]

Re: GRP / Fibreglass / gel coat ?!?

Hi schmooser!<br /><br />That is one cool boat. I love the cabin. Do you know the year and make? And you didn't mention what the o/b is. We just love to know all this stuff.<br /><br /><br />

This (fiberglass mat) extends an inch or up the support struts (are they the stringers?) but appears to not be adhering in a few sections

From what I can see in your pictures and your description, it is a fiberglass hull boat with plywood floor. The fact that the fiberglass mat is pulling away from the stringers indicates that they are in need of repair -- most likely replacement due to water damage. <br /><br />Take a sharp tool like an awl or screwdriver and probe the stringers. If they are soft or easily penetrated, they are shot. Next you need to check the condition of the transom. Look at where the motor bolts to the transom. Is there rust around the bolts on the inside of the hull (if they are not stainless steel)? That can be a bad sign indicating water is inside doing the same damage to the transom that it did to the stringers. To be sure, take a 1/4 drill bit and make a few holes in the transom from the INSIDE low near the floor. Check the wood that comes out. If dark brown and squishy, its rotten. If light colored and dry you are good to go. Seal up the holes you made with a marine 2 part epoxy.<br /><br />Now you know the condition of your boat. There are so many posts on this forum about floor and stringer replacement you won't believe it. So take some time and do some reading and you will have an idea of how much work and what the cost of repair is. <br /><br />Just because it has been painted on the outside does not mean too much. It can be stripped using regular paint stripper, but do not let it soak in like on furniture because it will start to soften the fiberglass after a while. Check at a big marina that does repair work ask them what they use that may be more forgiving.<br /><br />It is a really neat boat. Great lines. Can you post some more pics on your site? It would be a shame to let it go to waste. I have noticed that there are a lot more small boats with cabins/enclosures in the UK than here. Think it has to do with the weather?<br /><br />Regards,<br />Mark.<br /><br />Ps, this site should give you a good idea of what rebuilding the strings/floor is like: www.shareaproject.com look at the boats section.