Damaged fiberglass

[Jimdsi]

Last fall, the side of my 23 foot Wellcraft took a beating from a pole it was along side. The side of the hull did some flexing, causing surface cracks in the fiberglass below the gunnels. What is the best way to repair damage like this ? The damage is confined to an area of a few inches around where the pole was. I can get a digital pic if that would help. Thanks,

Jim

 

[klos]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

Pics will definitely help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

pics will definatelty help. here's how. follow the link, but when the box appears in the left upper screen, back space the line until clear, then crtl v or paste. good luck
http://forums.iboats.com/bbBoard.cgi?a=viewthread;fid=37;gtid=1179789

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

Jim, Sometimes damage that looks to be all surface/cosmetic can go deeper. If you can live with the appearance of the damage, you can reinforce the inside of the hull at that spot and let it go at that. If you cannot live with the damage you now have, you need to grind down the fiberglass until all the cracks are gone, and refill the void with glass and resin, and surface with putty and/or gelcoat. Put a couple of layers of glass and resin on the inside of the hull for insurance.d

If you can live with the appearance, then gain access to the rough inside of the hull, sand it with heavy paper, and glass in two or three layers of heavy glass roving, with plenty of resin. Now the boat will be stronger than before, but it still won't look as good.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

Jim, Sometimes damage that looks to be all surface/cosmetic can go deeper. If you can live with the appearance of the damage, you can reinforce the inside of the hull at that spot and let it go at that. If you cannot live with the damage you now have, you need to grind down the fiberglass until all the cracks are gone, and refill the void with glass and resin, and surface with putty and/or gelcoat. Put a couple of layers of glass and resin on the inside of the hull for insurance.d

If you can live with the appearance, then gain access to the rough inside of the hull, sand it with heavy paper, and glass in two or three layers of heavy glass roving, with plenty of resin. Now the boat will be stronger than before, but it still won't look as good.

Can marine tex be used in the same manner? Much less fuss and easier to work with.............Then again would gel-coat adhere to marine tex?

 

[NealLauderman]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

Yah it will. Go to marinetex .com and read the FAQ about prepping the marine tex for a gel coat

 

[Jimdsi]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

Last fall, the side of my 23 foot Wellcraft took a beating from a pole it was along side. The side of the hull did some flexing, causing surface cracks in the fiberglass below the gunnels. What is the best way to repair damage like this ? The damage is confined to an area of a few inches around where the pole was. I can get a digital pic if that would help. Thanks,

Jim

 

[Jimdsi]

Re: Damaged fiberglass ( with Pic )

Re: Damaged fiberglass ( with Pic )

OK, here is a pic of the damage. Sorry, but I took it tonight so it's kinda dark in the backround. But you can see the actual damage.

 

[danpemby]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

Jim,

That link does not work. You will need to post that picture on a hosting site first, then link to it.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

Tail Gunner, If the cracks are deep, marine-tex is not the solution. You need to grind them out. Now after the cracks are ground out, if they did not go all the way through the hull, you can repair with marine-tex, but I would still embed some cloth in the marine-tex.

 

[Jimdsi]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

Last fall, the side of my 23 foot Wellcraft took a beating from a pole it was along side. The side of the hull did some flexing, causing surface cracks in the fiberglass below the gunnels. What is the best way to repair damage like this ? The damage is confined to an area of a few inches around where the pole was. I can get a digital pic if that would help. Thanks,

Jim

 

[Jimdsi]

Re: Damaged fiberglass (with pic 2.0)

Re: Damaged fiberglass (with pic 2.0)

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Damaged fiberglass

Jim, I think you need to grind those cracks out and fill with epoxy resin and cloth. I would put some roving in the inside, just for insurance. I do not like the way the chips fell out, especially the large piece on the lower left of the hull.