Old family boat - fiberglass hull - what to do, leak? cracks...

[teamdiscoverychannel]

Hello, the old family boat has always (many, many years) taken on a little water - I see there's maybe an old patch (photo). Also, I see a couple cracks (photos) by the motor mount. Any concerns here? Suggestions? Thanks!

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhmm Yeah, I'd say you need to do an intensive inspection for this boat. ALL your pics need to be repaired but I suspect that there are even bigger problems behind each of them. How Old and What boat??

 

[teamdiscoverychannel]

Thanks - inspection...as in what?

Trying to ID the boat over at:

https://forums.iboats.com/forum/gen...ng-to-identify-the-family-boat-year-model-etc

 

[teamdiscoverychannel]

Also, how do these get repaired? Fiberglass patch at a local boat shop?

 

[chevymaher]

Drill stringers transom see if they are wet and rotten. No boat place for these repairs it is expensive enough if you do it yourself.

 

[teamdiscoverychannel]

Can you please explain how I "drill stringers transom" so I can do this and report back? Thanks!

 

[chevymaher]

Just a drill bit low in the engine compartment. Tape on the bit so you don't go out the boat. Little less than a 1/2 inch.

Into the stringers and into the transom Next to the bilge drain.

If dry wood comes out seal it with 4200 and buy a lottery ticket. If it is wet or black it all needs to come out and new put in.

 

[Woodonglass]

This IS the Worlds best site to help you with your repairs. If you are not set-up to do them then I'd say scrap the boat. If you're willing to dig into the project then you CAN do it with the help of all the Members here. If she's as bad as I expect you'll be looking at 200 hrs of itchy work and $2-3K in materials to bring her back to life and be a safe useful boat. Only you know your situation and what you're willing to invest in time and money.

 

[Scott Danforth]

its a 45 year old boat (or older) without paperwork.

not sure its worth the effort to restore unless you get the paperwork thing straightened out.

smearing of bondo over a crack isnt a patch job.

my guess is the wood structure long ago left the building and the floor is probably soft and bouncy.

I also guess if you were to jump up and down on the lower unit of the boat, the transom would flex like crazy (it shouldnt move at all)