Little Holes in the Hull

[daydreamer1252]

Have been working to restore my boat and a previous owner installed the usual plywood over the old deck to "PATCH" In the process he put the deck screws through the hull in about 6 places. These holes are from drywall type screws and are from #6 or #8 screws.

Can I seal the holes by filling with 5200? If yes, would it be better to drill the holes slightly larger and give the 5200 "fresh" surface to adhere to?

New deck installed in the boat so am not going to "patch" from the inside.....

Is there perhaps a better product than 5200?

Ideas suggestions and criticisms are all appreciated...

Thanks

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Little Holes in the Hull

So you are installing a new deck....... I would drill the holes with a very tiny drill ........ cover the holes on the outside of the hull with plastic tape and patch them with resin from the inside and maybe a tiny patch (yes LOL about band aid size).

You are intending on sealing the new decking material with fiberglass and resin....right

3m5200 is great stuff but it does not dry solid...... it would work but the other would be better

 

[bananaboater]

Re: Little Holes in the Hull

Bob, he already installed the deck. Cannot figure out why!

So you are installing a new deck....... I would drill the holes with a very tiny drill ........ cover the holes on the outside of the hull with plastic tape and patch them with resin from the inside and maybe a tiny patch (yes LOL about band aid size).

You are intending on sealing the new decking material with fiberglass and resin....right

3m5200 is great stuff but it does not dry solid...... it would work but the other would be better

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Little Holes in the Hull

Hey guys he said the PO already had installed the deck over the old deck and screwed the holes into the deck. For a temp fix, i would try some Marine tex, or a product called PC-11 or even some JB Water Weld They are all waterproof, dry hard, sandable and paintable. They are epoxy products so gel coat will NOT adhere to them.

Sand the area with some 100 grit to give it something to bond to then use some wet sanding with 220 and 400 to finish it off

 

[Mark42]

Re: Little Holes in the Hull

Put some masking tape over the holes from the outside. The masking tape prevents the gel coat from chipping. Take a 1/2" drill bit or one of those cone shaped grinding stones that fit a drill and chamfer the holes. Do not drill through the hull. This will give the epoxy a clean and larger surface to bond to. Mix up some epoxy, the type in the double tube applicator listed as "marine grade" will work. Typically found in the home centers.

After its cured, sand and put a dab of paint on it. Rustolium will work well for this. Although the paint is not really necessary, especially seeing as the epoxy is on the bottom of the boat (epoxy is affected by UV rays, so it usually gets paint to protect it)

Then call it done.

 

[jspano]

Re: Little Holes in the Hull

daydreamer is this an alum or fiber boat???

 

[daydreamer1252]

Re: Little Holes in the Hull

Thanks for the replys...

To help clarify.....started the tear out on the deck about 2 years ago got it mostly done then project stalled.....(bet nobody's heard of that before...)

Sent out to local shop over the winter to finish tear out and install the deck (plywood and glass/poly resin), transom and correct any stringer problems.....

Got it back and was checking under the hull and found the holes in the glass/gelcoat....again holes from maybe a #6 or #8 screw.....

Now want to patch the little holes and reinstall the engine and outdrive and do the interior.....transom parts of the outdrive are installed and engine going in this weekend with any kind of luck (that's funny....)

So I hope this helps to more completely explain the how and why....

No need to be pretty as this is COMPLETELY hidden from anybody who is not beneath the hull.....

Looks like one of the epoxy solutions is the best.....I want to fill the HOLE completely with the patching material... figure it will be stronger that way that smearing something just on the outside of the hull.....will I just be able to force the material in to the hole with putty knife kind of device or will some more clever idea be necessary?

Thanks again...

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Little Holes in the Hull

If you use marine tex or PC-11 a putty knife will force the material into the holes just like nail holes in wood. ACE hardware has PC-11.