How best to repair delaminated hull bottom on a 21' Carolina Skiff DLX?

[Bocatura]

Just bought an otherwise nice 2007 Carolina Skiff 21' DLX with almost the entire bottom delaminated - I've done lots of various fiberglass and epoxy repairs over the years but am wondering about the best way to tackle this one - schedule of fabric, polyester vs. vinylester or epoxy, applying gelcoat (most "green" on this area), any other tips... Thanks!

 

[ondarvr]

Its hard to say without knowing more about the actual issue.

In some situations you can re-bond the delaminated area, but frequently you will need to remove all of the delaminated glass and totally rebuild it, so pics will be needed to comment much on it.

 

[gm280]

I second ondrvr statement. Post pictures.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Did you buy this boat off the Columbia, SC craigslist? If so I just saw that listing the other day. The damage was pretty gruesome but looked fixable and the pro's here will help you if it can be helped.

If that wasn't the boat, I guess this must be at least somewhat common on CS's.

 

[Bocatura]

Yes, the boat was on SC Craigslist and 2/3ds of the bottom is completely delaminates and missing - in other words, only pink inner mat layup showing, so perhaps 2-3 layers of schedule already peeled off and gone, so it's basically rebuilding from the outside ending with the final gelcoat application to the bottom of the hull. No photos currently available but I think I've described it adequately for anyone competent in doing such repairs...

 

[ondarvr]

I'm thinking more information or pics are needed, to you it's simple to understand because you can look at it, we only have your words. While I understand a good deal of glass is missing, the method for fixing it correctly may change due to the exact type of damage.

 

[proshadetree]

Pictures are worth a thousand words. So your still way short of just one picture. Was the bottom worn off? Did blistering cause this? A pic would tell. Is the damage isolated to the 2/3 or is it in the 1/3 also?

 

[jbcurt00]

Seeing it could help identify WHY it came off, which is usually germane to fixing it, any competent repair shop would also SEE it before giving you an estimate of whats needed. And then at best its still an estimate until its completely repaired, hence the use of an estimate for repair.

IMO, w not pix, you are seeing the fiberglassed hull missing only gelcoat.

Its a skiff for shallow water, sandy shoals and beaching, easy to expect some gelcoat wear.

I would probably have addressed the repair sufficently prior to purchase.

FYI, collectively the members here have forgotten more then I'll ever know about fiberglass repairs, some members have extensive working histories dealing w all facets of fiberglass from pre-production, thru manufacturing and on to makor repairs of owner damage and manufacturing defects.

If they asked for pix, and you want their help, I'd try to provide a pix or 3.

 

[GA_Boater]

For the more competent among us - Is there evidence of a prior repair, such as it was?

Some pictures would help. Even if the pics only show us what to look for when buying.

 

[ondarvr]

I'm interested in seeing what the damage is, not easy to lose 2/3 of the hull bottom in a minor mishap.