Advice on repairing/maintenance of fibreglass canoe hull

[PhilCanoe]

Hello, new user and new canoe enthusiast here.

Yesterday I bought a second hand fibreglass canoe. My aim is to take out my wife and son on short day trips on tranquil waters for a bit of a paddle. The rest of the time the canoe will be stored at my house under a roof (dry).

I'll start by saying I know basically nothing about maintenance of a canoe and I'm not very knowledgeable about DIY.

The canoe I bought is a 16ft fibreglass Roseco (Australian manufactured) canoe built around 1985. I took it out on the water today and it was fantastic. The fibreglass shell looks to be in great condition, however there is some damage to the gel coat (I think that's what it is?) on the hull, and some spider cracks and splintering on the inside. I am currently concerned about the hull - the inside can wait. I am looking to get the hull fixed up for as cheaply as possible.

Here is the canoe with my son looking very happy about it:
http://imgur.com/gEbIdKJ

There are some cracks, holes and splinters on the hull. Here are some pics:
http://imgur.com/tSH8bZh
http://imgur.com/sBTgZ34
http://imgur.com/SgU2Lke
http://imgur.com/4w13yXn
http://imgur.com/ACQGIJd
http://imgur.com/nmkXBzx
http://imgur.com/4BKLQjP
http://imgur.com/6kitwbu
http://imgur.com/WFPtBn6
http://imgur.com/5RS1tgb
http://imgur.com/0PAC6r3
http://imgur.com/b7HXk1X
http://imgur.com/EBLvWej
http://imgur.com/VOqQ6ku

There are also these small nicks on the bottom, I think they may be from stones?
http://imgur.com/Sh7jaqu

Firstly, I think that this damage would not really effect the use of my canoe, and I could leave them if I wanted? If someone could clarify that would be great.

However, I am keen to fix the hull up, as I think it would look nicer and perhaps last longer, I'm not sure.

From some googling and reading forums, here is what I think I should do:

1) For the holes and larger cracks I should fill them with something called Bondo (??) or use a gel coat repairer (something like this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/500gm-Gel...YAAOSwyjBW8daF). I could use this but I think it is expensive: http://3mmarine.com/3m-marine-premium-filler-46006.html

2) For the spider cracks I can ignore them or perhaps use this: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MagicEzy-...N0v7HGK2CZ7Q0Q

3) I could re-do the gel coat, however that would be a lot of work and expensive, and probably beyond my skill level. The majority of the coat is still looking good, so instead I think I should paint the hull with a marine paint like Rustoleum: http://www.rustoleum.com.au/product-.../topside-paint I've read that you should use topside paint on Canoes as they are not in the water long enough to require underside paint. Is that correct? One person said that you can just use paving paint on canoes to save money? Something like this: https://www.bunnings.com.au/white-kn...-pave_p1540598 Would that work?

Some advice from you pros would be appreciated!

Thanks
Phil

 

[chevymaher]

If you wanna keep it a while. I would lay a layer of cloth inside stiffin it back up. The flexing and cracking weakened it and any exterior fixes you do will come back. It wont break and sink it just will flex more and more where the weak places you describe are.

Use cabasol and make peanut butter for the bondo to fix the outside. Since you would have resin form stiffenin the inside.

Then just sand the outside down and re paint or gel coat it which ever floats your boat. Gel coat is preferred it is much tougher. and easier to keep up. Doesn't hold a shine as long. But I reckon that is why they use it on boats.

But it would be fine as is if that is your choice. I recommend just redoing the gel coat. I do auto paint and I have only messed with my boat I got now with gel coat. Gel coat is a walk in the park to do compared to any paint. Thicker tougher more resistant to damage. easier to fix. The inherent dullness makes it blend easier.

 

[Slager]

I looked through your pictures and it all looks like minor impact damage. The first picture is the only one that looks like it could be from flexing, but on a boat without an outboard, I doubt it is from flex. Unless that is a stress point when being transported. I haven't done gel coat repair yet, so hopefully someone else will chime in there. There is a how to guide for fixing gel coat stress cracks in the sticky threads. As far as paint, if you really don't want to use gel coat, I would recommend a good enamel paint with the hardener added. Woodonglass has a great how to: http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat...lamingo-splashed-w-pics?p=5172021#post5172021

I would recommend the rustoleum professional enamel over the topside paint, I have used both and the professional is cheaper and nicer to work with.

 

[PhilCanoe]

Thanks, this is all great advice. I realise that it is not totally necessary but I want to paint the hull anyway. I will use expoxy putty to fill the small holes and chips, I will sand it down with wet and dry paper, and then I am going to paint it with a white gloss epoxy enamel paint. It will cost me about $80 AUD and it will get the hull looking fabulous and it should make it last longer.

Thanks for all the advice.

 

[fhhuber]

Do not use Bondo on a fiberglass boat of any kind.
Bondo will tend to crack and pop off as the hull flexes

The "peanut butter" mix (peanut butter consistency mix of the carbosil and filler agents) replaces Bondo for essentially the same purpose you THINK you want the Bondo to accomplish. it will stick to the fiberglass much better and it has a little flexibility that Bondo lacks, so it will stay on the hull.

Bondo isn't even a good material for car body work.

 

[Ned L]

Cute little canoe. I would consider everything I see to be 'cosmetic'. I certainly would not add the weight or expense or time to add more glass to the inside. As for those little chips, Agreed, "Bondo" is not a preferred product for boats. It is however readily available and fairly inexpensive, .... and it is a canoe that will see only periodic use and not be stored in the water. So if you use Bondo, expect it to hold up for only 10 or 15 years and not the 30 - 40 years that a better filler would last. (Bondo was all that was available in the 70's, it was used extensively, and lots of work held up just fine for decades) On a canoe I would not hesitate to use it.
Fill the scrapes and dings with the material of your choice, give the outside a nice hand sanding with 120 - 150 grit paper (don't go through the gel coat) and then two coats of your favorite oil based enamel (light sanding between) and you will have a great looking canoe. (... Keeping in mind that the crazing may well return over time almost regardless what you do. It is a result of the light layup and flexing.)

 

[ondarvr]

I wouldn't even bother painting it right now, just clean it up and buff it first, it may come out looking good. Plus paint doesn't hold up that well on canoes, they tend to get beat up when in use, this results in lots of scratches and chipped paint, gel coat, even old cleaned up and buffed gel coat, can look better than paint after a year of use.

 

[Ned L]

Good point Ondarvr