Repairing screw holes in a fiber glass boat

[Boat Racer]

I am working on replacing the floor in my boat. I made a huge mistake. The bigest mistake I have ever made in the shop in 20 years. The screws I used in the bottom of the boat under the gas tank were a little too long and went though the bottom of the boat. <br /><br />How can I easily fix 1/8 in hole?<br /><br />My idea is to remove the floor panel and the foam. Then buff the fiberglass and put duck tape on the underside of the hole. Then pour the hole full of resin.<br /><br />What product would be best for this?<br /><br />Thanks for your help. I still cann't believe I did this.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Repairing screw holes in a fiber glass boat

Marine Tex putty....in white or gray. Great stuff.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Repairing screw holes in a fiber glass boat

Racer – that is exactly how it is done. I suggest using a Dremel with a tungsten bit (#9931) to clean up the holes. If there is any core, remove it so the epoxy gets a good bond to both glass surfaces inside the hole. Don’t be afraid to make the holes a little larger with the Dremel. 2-part epoxy … add filler as needed for holes in vertical surfaces…apply duct tape also to the side you are working from, covering bottom ½ of the hole, and use a syringe to fill the holes as you role the tape up over the rest of the hole.<br /><br />What epoxy and fillers? … Depends on how many holes, how big, core or no core.

 

[pra100]

Re: Repairing screw holes in a fiber glass boat

I did something like that 2 years ago with a saw,bigger hole then you have.I put a piece of matting and epoxy on the endside of boat,then from underneath I filled it with white Marine Tex,covered Marine Tex with a piece of clear plastice to allow it to dry,(hold plastic in place with duct tape).When dry remove duct tape and plastic,sand it then I covered it with a little gel coat touch up.I have been runing my boat this way for 2 years really hard.You can't even tell where it happen.This Marine Tex is tuff stuff.