1972 Laser Sailboat - how to repair crack in deck under bow eye

[look_to_the_water]

I just purchased a 1972 Laser sailboat. It has a nasty crack through the fiberglass on the deck under the bow eye. The person I purchased it from said that it happened when he set the boat upside down on its deck and hit the bow eye too hard on a piece of wood.

I removed the bow eye to assess the damage and found that I could push down the cracked area from between 1/8th and 1/4 of an inch. When I looked in under the fiberglass I saw what appeared to be wood (the fiberglass was separated from the wood). I'm not sure how the laser is constructed, so I don't know if there is some sort of "beam" running down the center-line of the deck (between the mast and the bow) or if there is just a block of wood under the area where the bow eye is. If there is some sort of beam, would it be possible to repair the crack and then move the bow eye fore or aft of the damaged area? Or, would it be better to fix the area where the crack is and reattach the bow eye where it is now? Note that I do use the bow eye to tie to on my trailer, so whatever I do will need to be solid.

I would greatly appreciate any advice and instruction that you can give me on the how this repair should be made.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1972 Laser Sailboat - how to repair crack in deck under bow eye

I just purchased a 1972 Laser sailboat. It has a nasty crack through the fiberglass on the deck under the bow eye. The person I purchased it from said that it happened when he set the boat upside down on its deck and hit the bow eye too hard on a piece of wood.

I removed the bow eye to assess the damage and found that I could push down the cracked area from between 1/8th and 1/4 of an inch. When I looked in under the fiberglass I saw what appeared to be wood (the fiberglass was separated from the wood). I'm not sure how the laser is constructed, so I don't know if there is some sort of "beam" running down the center-line of the deck (between the mast and the bow) or if there is just a block of wood under the area where the bow eye is. If there is some sort of beam, would it be possible to repair the crack and then move the bow eye fore or aft of the damaged area? Or, would it be better to fix the area where the crack is and reattach the bow eye where it is now? Note that I do use the bow eye to tie to on my trailer, so whatever I do will need to be solid.

I would greatly appreciate any advice and instruction that you can give me on the how this repair should be made.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Got any pictures of the backside,..??

That's where the repairs should take place...

 

[look_to_the_water]

Re: 1972 Laser Sailboat - how to repair crack in deck under bow eye

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Got any pictures of the backside,..??

That's where the repairs should take place...

Ayuh! Great to be aboard. Thank you for your reply!

Unfortunately I have no way to view the underside. There are currently no inspection ports anywhere near the crack. I could put one in if that's what's needed. Is fixing it from the underside the only option?

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: 1972 Laser Sailboat - how to repair crack in deck under bow eye

Is fixing it from the underside the only option?

Welcome to Iboats water looker ..

No.. its not the only option if you dont plan on Through Bolting your eye back on. Was it just screwed in ?

Is that a roller Eye or just a plastic eye cleat thingy.

You could just cut a rectangle out of your deck were the damage is..and 5200 another backer ply ( larger then the cutout ) in the same location..then glass the deck and reinstall your 'eye' ( whatever it is ).

Your gonna have a finished area on deck instead of a nonskid pattern .. but hey

YD.

 

[look_to_the_water]

Re: 1972 Laser Sailboat - how to repair crack in deck under bow eye

Welcome to Iboats water looker ..

No.. its not the only option if you dont plan on Through Bolting your eye back on. Was it just screwed in ?

Is that a roller Eye or just a plastic eye cleat thingy.

You could just cut a rectangle out of your deck were the damage is..and 5200 another backer ply ( larger then the cutout ) in the same location..then glass the deck and reinstall your 'eye' ( whatever it is ).

Your gonna have a finished area on deck instead of a nonskid pattern .. but hey

YD.

Yes, it was just screwed in. It was a simple plastic eye cleat with about two inch screws.

I guess I have to decide now if I want to do it from the top or the underside. If I end up doing it from the underside I'll post some pictures from the inside so I can get some more help.

This forum is great!! Thanks for the help!