Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

[Natty Light]

Somehow wedged a rock inbetween the trailer and boat when loading today. The ramps are low right now and we have to load at a step angle. The back of the boat has some very noticable damage. I am not familar with fiberglass structure and what is severe what vs what is only cosmetic. What is the best way for me to fix this?. The scar is about two inches across.

The hull is a 2001 Triton Fish and Ski 18ft

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

snag a gelcoat repair kit... little sanding and apply gel... little more sanding and go fishing

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

Clean the area and apply some JB water weld. Put it on in 2 layers.. It can be sanded and painted if you want....problem solved unless you just got to spend money.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

I'd use marine Tex after cleaning with Acetone.:joyous:

 

[Natty Light]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

Thank y'all for your responses.
Sounds like this is a job I can handle on my own. I'll follow up

 

[Natty Light]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

ordered some marine tex today. Only 15 bucks for two ounces. Beats what a shop would charge if it works. Got great reviews on Amazon.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

If you use a Dremel to lightly grind out the area, then wash it all down with Acetone prior to applying the MT, It'll be like IRON when you're done and barely noticeable.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

If you use a Dremel to lightly grind out the area, then wash it all down with Acetone prior to applying the MT, It'll be like IRON when you're done and barely noticeable.

A trick down here is we use an ice cube to smooth it out. Don't over do it tex gets really really hard. Do not put you r boat in without fixing this

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

Another trick is to use some clear plastic and a bondo spreader. Put the Tex on then place the plastic over it and use the spreader to smooth it all out. Leave the plastic on for about an hour then peel it off. No Sanding required. Smooth as a baby's bottom!!!!

 

[Natty Light]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

Thanks again for the tips and tricks.
The bite is really on right now in my part of the country so I need to fix this ASAP.

 

[Natty Light]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

I see that Marine Text suggests that temperatures do not fall below 55 degress while the product cures. Temps when I apply the product will be highs in the mid 60s anf lows in the 40s. Is that a deal breaker for applying this or does it just extend the cure time. I'm going to have about 7 days between when I apply it and when I fish the nxt time

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

10-12 hrs. Now that's both the boat and the MT. If you can get a 500 watt Halogen light to sit about 18" away from the patch over night, it'll keep everything nice and toasty while it cures and you'll be fine to go fishing the next day!!!!. Marine tex will continue to fully cure underwater. Follow the directions for mixing the product.

 

[Natty Light]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

Thanks all.
I picked up a 500 watt halogen bulb, placed it about 15 inches away, and the Marine Tex was rock solid the next morning. Went fishing and caught 5lber. Without your advice I would have likely been on shore and missed the fish.

 

[greenbush future]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

Glad the patch worked out well for you, I'm still trying to figure out how this could happen with just a low water, ramp issue you mentioned. Avoiding this would be even better, agree? How did a rock get up there? were you power loading maybe? Triton's are awesome boats, hate to see this happen again.

 

[Natty Light]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

Glad the patch worked out well for you, I'm still trying to figure out how this could happen with just a low water, ramp issue you mentioned. Avoiding this would be even better, agree? How did a rock get up there? were you power loading maybe? Triton's are awesome boats, hate to see this happen again.

The angle of the trailer was too steep so I had my partner back down some more. I heard some grinding on the back of the trailer and I think that is when we wedged the rock inbetween the boat and trailer. I don't power load. Too risky for the prop on my waters.

This is the lowest point that Kentucky Lake reaches during the year. A 5 foot drop from the summertime.
We are working with the very end of the ramp and it just drops straight off in several places. I launched the empty trailer across several sections of the ramp and discovered a spot that is still good this late in the year. Made a note to use that section in the future.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Fiberglass damage. Need advice on severity and next steps. Pics included

Nice Fish!! Glad It all Worked out for you!