Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

[Djan]

Bought this a couple weeks ago for cheap. It takes on some water, which I addressed in my first post. I finally got around to looking for leaks and found this. Is this an easy fix?

I hardly looked the boat over when I bought it because I got it so cheap. Figured even if I had to dump some money in it, I'd be okay.

There's also a couple spots on the bottom that look like they were repaired by a 3rd grader with some Play-Doh. They don't leak any water when I put a hose in the drain plug, but I'm still going to re-do the "repairs" this winter.

I'm brand new to boating, so keep that in mind with any suggestions. Thanks!

Here's some pics (this is my virgin attempt to post from photobucket, so if it doesn't work I'll keep trying)

SCREW -- Is this an easy fix??

"REPAIR"

This is my new-to-me boat, a 1978 Del-Magic Cougar

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

Easy fix, I had the exact same issue (except all the seats were screwed through the hull...total of 8 screws!!!). Take the screw out, get some fiberglass spot putty/bondo (local hardware/auto supply store). Apply putty and let it cure. Sand it smooth and apply Krylon Plastic Paint (the spray can stuff). You'll be hard pressed to find the repair, and mine was fine all last season. Still can't see the repair. If you feather out the paint a bit it works wonders. Be carefull to let the putty cure fully though, as the drying agents will cause the paint to orange peel if you don't. Did this repair on an ol' 1976 hull, not the boat in my sig! hehe..

The other options is to use fiberglass epoxy and do that whole process, but the holes are tiny, and I think it's bit of overkill.

Ian

 

[QC]

Re: Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

Above might work well, but the right way to fix the bottom is with a Gelcoat Repair kit. Personally I'd fill the inside of the hole with epoxy and then finish the hull with gelcoat.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

I like your signature pic QC!

I had that problem on an old tri-hull I had for a while. Fixed it similar to lil-fishy's method. That's a nice looking boat, if you got it cheap it looks like a bargain.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

I agree with QC. Bondo and boats don't usually get along very well - the stuff asorbs water.

For a cosmetically proper fix, gelcoat is the way to go, in combination with a fiberglass repair on the inside of the boat. If you run a funky "workhorse" like me, you can get away with a fiberglass repair on both sides of the hull.

 

[TJDave]

Re: Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

The last thing I had to do when re-carpeting and putting new seats in my boat was to install the little kickboard that sits at a 45 degree angle in front of the driver and front passenger seats. After carpeting the kickboard, I screwed it back down to the floor. Standing back to admire my completed project, I saw it.....I shot a screw right through the bottom of my boat. Duh! I miss-judged the angle of the one screw on the pass. side of boat. I used some epoxy, filled the small hole, sanded and painted it white. That was a few years ago, and all is good.

 

[skargo]

Re: Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

Marine-tex.

 

[witenite0560]

Re: Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

I'd recommend Marine-Tex epoxy repair. Great stuff!!!

 

[Adjuster]

Re: Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

Marine Tex will make it stronger than when new. Only way to go.

 

[mike343]

Re: Found a screw sticking out the bottom of my boat!

Add my vote to marine Tex