Newbie On Board

[Baggins55]

What an incredible site! I have been reading posts related to transom and stringer repair in small boats and I feel like I've been to college! I would have never believed that so many people could be so patient and so helpful if I hadn't witnessed it myself. You guys are incredible!

I'm ready to post some pics and ask some specific questions about my two boats. Both of my boats need bow/keel repair. I will only post a pic of my 1979 Aquasport 19-6 Family Fisherman because the 15' Trihull has the same exact damage and so I assume that answers and advice will pertain to both.

I am somewhat familiar with most of the terminology used in fiberglass repair from the many projects I have read about here on this site, so could someone please give me some general step by step instructions on how to repair this damage?

Also might need a little help with how to insert pics into post instead of just attached.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Newbie On Board

Welcome to the "dry dock" of iboats.

Not a hard fix....... some grinding and some fiberglass layup......maybe some gelcoat repair and you will be fine

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie On Board

How do you plan to finish the repair? Paint or Gelcoat? This will play a part in how the guide you through the repair process. If paint your can use Epoxy or Polyester Resin, if Gelcoat then you HAVE to use the Poly.

My signature line has a link on how to post pics.

 

[Baggins55]

Re: Newbie On Board

Thanks for the quick replies Bob in VT and Woodonglass! To answer Woodonglass...I was thinking because the damage was such a small area I might use epoxy. Easy 1:1 mix, inexpensive quantity, and waterproof. I also do plan on cleaning up the bottom and putting a new coat of bottom paint on. Will the paint adhere well to the epoxy repair? I was also thinking of using a keel guard.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie On Board

Is this a Freshwater or Saltwater boat? Do you want a Cadillac Paint Job or a Chevy??

 

[Baggins55]

Re: Newbie On Board

The Aquasport will be used both in freshwater and in salt. My runabout will be in freshwater only. I'm guessing Caddy paint job on the Aquasport and Chevy on the runabout. LOL!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Newbie On Board

Ok, IF the Saltwater boat is trailered and NOT left in the water for more than a few days at a time then, In my opinion you do not need to use Bottom Paint on her or the Freshwater boat. They can both be painted with any good quality marine rated paint. Heck you can even use auto paint on em. Lot's of guys on here have with GREAT results. The quality of the Paint job will all be in the prep. It appears the hull of the boat shown has a LOT of scratches and gouges that will need to be sanded and filled and faired if you want that Cadillac finish. As for the Keel repair it is a fairly straight forward repair. The first order of business is to sand it down to good glass and feather it out 4 to 5 inches. Clean the area with Acetone. Use 1.5 oz Chopped Strand Mat and Polyester Resin to patch the area. Cut pieces of the mat that are progressively larger until they cover the sanded area entirely. Put the smallest down first and then the rest until the last one. When dry sand and fair the area using 3M marine filler You can then prime and paint. You can use the 3M marine filler to fill all the scratches and gouges too. Make sure and clean them well with acetone before filling. Wash the entire boat with a good qualtiy cleaner and dewaxer after final sanding. Prime and paint with the paint of your choice. Lots of examples here on the forum for you to read and see how others have done it. This is just how I would do it. Others I'm sure will post their ideas.

 

[Baggins55]

Re: Newbie On Board

Thanks! I knew from all the studying of many other threads that it wouldn't be "rocket science".
Neither boat will ever be in the water more than a possible overnight. Their "lives" will be spent almost exclusively on trailers. Having extensive experience with scale model filling, sanding, and painting to a glass like finish, I suspect it will be nearly the same thing, only in a 1:1 scale.
I will be uploading many more pics of spots on the boat that need repair and will post those pics with questions when it's time to get to them.
I greatly appreciate the info for my jumping off point!

 

[rickryder]

Re: Newbie On Board

Sounds like you will do a fine job since you have some repair skills.... it's just a bit larger Keep us posted on your progress

 

[Baggins55]

Re: Newbie On Board

All of my progress this past week has been "in the classroom" so-to-speak. I ordered some books online and some of them have already arrived. This Old Boat by Don Casey is a great read so far.
Also spent a few days down at Morehead City this past weekend. Nothing like a few hours watching the boat traffic at Beaufort Inlet on a beautiful Saturday to fan the flames of my found-again passion for boats. I grew up on Jamaica Bay in NY City. Lived over a Marina and spent my teen years working in the boatyard. Morehead City and Beaufort this past weekend was like going home!

This summer will be an exercise in patience as well! In the time it will take to gather the funds needed for an outboard with enough horses to push that 19-6, I should be able to accomplish much on the hull and deck. With no steering system and all the wiring removed (by me...it was a jumble of poorly spliced and frayed wires) that will be a nice education as well. Some of the electrical books on the way should take care of that.

Although I am not daunted by any of the negative things coming my way, I am a little dismayed at how hot it's getting already here in the South. I have no enclosed space to work (meaning no air conditioning) and sanding/filling on my back in the yard with dust, grit, and sweat entering my eyes is not a pleasant thought. And resin cooking in the pot before I have a chance to dip the brush isn't going to be fun either. I'm half convinced that since neither boat will be in the water this season anyway, I might just stick to my gardening/landscaping and book reading until the weather cools off. And there's also the teak parts that can come off and be refinished (or remade from scratch) in my workshed. And a 55hp Chrysler I've yet to crank. As I write all of this I realize I WILL be busy this summer!
If I need a fix of waterborne activity, there's always boat rentals and ferry rides at the coast.
Look forward to perusing all the projects here and chatting with you all.