Hull damage

[timharper89]

Is this cosmetic damage? If not, is it something I can fix myself? What does this lead to?

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhhhmm no that's a bit more than cosmetic. This needs a full fiberglass patch and repair. Grind or Sand all the areas using 40-60 grit and feather out about 3-5 " on either side. Clean well with acetone, then apply a layer of 1.5oz CSM Followed by a bit larger patch of 1708 cloth. Then 2 more CSM patches Let cure and then fill any additional low areas with fairing compound and sand with 220 grit. Finally apply paint or gelcoat.

 

[timharper89]

Thanks for the info. How would I do that on the very bottom tip of the hull? There is a scrape like this that falls between the trailer supports on the bottom. I wouldn't be able to sand 5 inches to either side life that. Does it require jacking up?

 

[kcon]

I'd jack up the boat and let it rest on blocks, it's best you have full access to that area for a proper repair.


Here's a great video detailing repairs not too unlike yours.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9hfpOCnzEs

 

[AShipShow]

Check this out... don't do this tho unless you have the right tools and safety measures.. crawling under a boat ( or anything) unless your positive its safe is a bad bad idea... but if you can't get to it while on the trailer than its really your only choice.

 

[tpenfield]

Looks completely totaled

Seriously, the first 2 pics look mostly cosmetic, the third one looks a bit more involved as it is a bit deeper into the glass itself.. I find that fiberglass work is pretty straight forward, it only sounds scary

 

[MTboatguy]

You need full access to repair those areas correctly which includes the feathering that Wood stated. When I first started playing with boats, I would rent an engine crane to pick them up and put them on block, I finally just bought one at HF and that is what I use now. Now with a fiberglass boat, it depends on what it weighs when you go to take it off the trailer, but just make sure you have proper cribbing under it to support so you can work on it with out getting squished like a bug.

 

[timharper89]

What about marine tex? I've read a bit about that, and it seems like it should work ok. The boat is old (1987) so I'm not sure how much time and money I want to put in it.

 

[Woodonglass]

On any of the gouges that don't have Glass fibers visibly showing , marine tex will be fine. OR Do nothing. Only damage that has the glass fibers exposed need to be repaired with new glass. It looks to me like the Keel is in need of a normal glass repair. The others...Maybe not. working upside down is NOT fun but can be done. If you decide to do the keel, let us know and we'll be happy to explain the best technique to accomplish the repair.

 

[timharper89]

A few weeks later, I'm considering beginning my repair next week. I have to redo my bellows first, but am thinking about doing this as well. As far as material, tools and chemicals, what will I need to do a glass repair? What kind of resin should I use? Epoxy or polyester? I need epoxy (I think) anyway for replacing my swim platform screws with through bolts. They are stripped out on one side. Cam I use the same stuff? Trying to keep this as inexpensive as possible. The longer gouge is about a foot long .The smaller one probably 3-4 inches. Will a hand sander work for sanding the edges down? I will be leaving the boat on the trailer. I don't have any way to get it off. I looked again, and I don't think there is anything between the trailer supports like I thought initially, so that shouldn't be an issue. I'm not worried about it looking fabulous. Just wanna make sure no further damage is going to result.

Any help is appreciated

 

[Woodonglass]

R/O sander will work fine use some 60 grit paper. Polyester resin will work just fine. DON'T use bondo resin. Use laminating resin. You can use it for the screws/bolts too.Just cut up some small pieces of CSM to mix with the resin and give it strength to fill the holes.

OR

As stated before PC-11 or Marine Tex will do the job too..for everything that doesn't have glass fibers showing.

 

[timharper89]

Will something like this work?
https://www.bottompaintstore.com/ma...BWco1ffEOaZGVc7BFb0OwaX6eK21_dUwaAvl7EALw_wcB

I assume the fairing compound you mentioned is for appearance. Is that something I can skip? Any suggestions for inexpensive fairing compound and gelcoat?

 

[Woodonglass]

PC-11 and Marine Tex are both white so If you fill the gouges with either of them you won't need to do anything but a bit of sanding.

 

[timharper89]

You mentioned laminating resin. This remains tacky, right? Will the PC-11 harden the laminating resin? I watched the posted video series, and he said the laminating resin will never cure on its own.

 

[Woodonglass]

IF you use the laminating resin You can Tape Plastic over the repair and it will cure to a hard non tacky surface in 24 hours.You'll need some 1.5 oz CSM too. The ONLY damage that needs this kind of repair is the long one which I assume is on the keel of the boat.