I Have to Fill a Below Waterline Hole

Hello Friends,

I have to fill a hole that is below the water line that was used for a bolt for a small swim platform. It is only about a quarter inch diameter. What is the best method? I have seen an epoxy that looks interesting, but it seems like a self tapping screw with a rubber washer would work equally fine? Any tips would be great. Thanks.

Re: I Have to Fill a Below Waterline Hole

This is what you're looking for. Local Home Depot sells the 3M 5200 10oz gun tube and a 3oz? small tube.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...splay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053


CHAD

*EDIT: read further - this is not the correct method

Re: I Have to Fill a Below Waterline Hole

Thanks Chad!

Re: I Have to Fill a Below Waterline Hole

MarineTex

Re: I Have to Fill a Below Waterline Hole

I forgot to fill on small hole after my transom rebuild last year. I reached under the water with the 5200, dabbed some on the hole and that was it. Held all summer.

Maybe wouldn't be a bad idea to use 5200 with the bolt and washer but probably not needed.

Re: I Have to Fill a Below Waterline Hole

+1 on the MarineTex. I used it to fill 4 screw holes in the bottom of my hull. No more leaks and very easy to work with.

Re: I Have to Fill a Below Waterline Hole

5200 is sealing adhesive. It gets hard over time and looses its sealing properties. Improper use is probably responsible for more transom replacements/ repairs than I care to think about.

Do yourself a favor and do it right. Drill out the hole big enough to fit a small wood dowel. Coat the dowel and inside of the hole with epoxy and tap the dowel into the hole. Make sure the dowel is an 1/8? or so below the surface of the gel coat. When dry, fill the rest of the hole with gel coat or Marine-Tex. Sand and polish as required.

You will end up with a permanent repair that will not have the next owner looking at the cost of replacing the transom due to your negligence.

Re: I Have to Fill a Below Waterline Hole

Ditto on dingbats answer. the name might say dingbat, but it certainly doesn't seem to apply. The repair section should have a lot of good info. too. Resin and layers of fiberglass, with a coat of gelcoat would also be a good answer. Marinetex is also a popular solution.

However, using 5200, lifeseal or lifecaulk are probably not the best solutions. That is ok for sealing a bolt, but not an empty bolt hole.