Fiberglass Question

[stu_family]

I have a fiberglass wall (around 16" wide) on my 1992 houseboat where the top over time has sagged and now collects water when it rains. The attached photos (sorry for the blurriness) shows a straight edge going around the wall and the dip in the top surface. I am filling all holes and going to sand and paint this area but thought I would remove the dip first. I would also like to put a crown on the surface so it drains both ways. Question is HOW? Putting the crown on it would mean that at the center I would have around a 1/2" gap. One thought was to epoxy some plywood onto the sanded existing gelcoat finish to built it up without adding a ton of weight and then use fiberglass cloth and polyester resin to top it off. I would then fair it and paint it. Suggestions? And thanks ahead of time

 

[racerone]

I would say that the structure underneath is rotten / broken.----This has allowed it to sag.-----But you could buy a sheet of 2" insulating foam.----Shape it like a dome or similar.----Then fiberglass over it.-----Your location ?----Does it get a lot of " snow load " on it by chance ?

 

[stu_family]

The wood under this platform is definitely rotted, but the fiberglass seems solid. I think the foam suggestion is a good idea I hadn’t thought of that. I’m in Boise Idaho so we don’t get a whole lot of snow.

 

[Scott Danforth]

if you do not need strength of the core under the fiberglass, mix up some microspheres into a fairing compound.

Me, I would cut the top of the 16" wide wall off, fix the core material, then when I glass it back, I would put storage lockers in the whole wall to store PFD's, Life vests, tackle boxes, etc.

 

[stu_family]

Thanks Scott

 

[racerone]

I would cut of the top.-----Repair the rotten structure.----Put some shape into it to let water run off and add strength.----Glue the top back on.

 

[airshot]

Make sure you dont have rotten wood someplace else that could be more critical...

 

[racerone]

Sometimes folks do not have the time or patience to do it right the first time.---But always find time to do the job over again.

 

[Bondo]

The wood under this platform is definitely rotted, but the fiberglass seems solid. I think the foam suggestion is a good idea I hadn’t thought of that. I’m in Boise Idaho so we don’t get a whole lot of snow.

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,.....My ole Nautiline had a problem like that,.....
I crawled in through a cabinet, 'n replaced the rotten plywood, 'n braces where it was supposed to be,.....

 

[stu_family]

I am not seeing the need to replace the rotten wood since this wall is under a overhang and you cannot stand on it so unless I am missing something it seems like the fiberglass over the new shaped foam would be the easiest and work just as well. Adding the fiberglass over the foam would also stiffen this horiz surface which mostly is used to sit on. Am I missing something. Again, thanks all for your help

 

[Scott Danforth]

The wood is structural

Probably not related to the wall.

Boats rot from the keel upward. How are the stringers and transom?

 

[racerone]

I think --stu----has made up his mind on how to fix this.

 

[stu_family]

Not correct RACERONE, I have learned to ALLWAYS be open to suggestion so if additional info comes it in I will weight that info and then make a decision.

Scott, I cannot access the stingers but the floor is solid. And the transom was redone by a previous owner and is now 3" thick and I see no stress cracks at all.

 

[airshot]

If people are sitting on it, that would make me want it sturdy and replace the wood. As time goes on, that bad wood will not get stronger !!