Mounting bracket holes

Al Kungel

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 9, 2004
Messages
144
I need to fill 4 holes (3/8") where the kicker bracket was mounted on the transom of my fiberglass boat. Please give me any tips or comments on the best way to do this.
 

CalicoKid

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 27, 2002
Messages
1,599
Re: Mounting bracket holes

Before filling, make sure the transom around the holes hasn't rotted at all. I'd use thickened epoxy. It could be colored to match your gelcoat.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Mounting bracket holes

I would drill them out to about 1/2" and plug them with hardwood dowels set in about 1/8", with epoxy, then fill the leftover with epoxy.
 

cc lancer

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2004
Messages
371
Re: Mounting bracket holes

Follow JB's advice, when you drill from 3/8" to 1/2" check the shavings. If they are dry your good to go, if they are wet or damp let the holes air dry for a few days.<br />Mask off around the holes, and you will have a neat job. :)
 

Ralph 123

Captain
Joined
Jun 24, 2003
Messages
3,983
Re: Mounting bracket holes

I have 2 pro marine fiberglass videos that show those kind of repairs using 2 similar approaches<br /><br />Approach 1<br /><br />Grind and sand out the holes chamfering edges to give plenty of surface to bond to and clean the area of dust. A die grinder works great or you can use a dremel with a carbide bit for small holes like you have.<br /><br />Mask the area to keep surrounding area clean<br /><br />Use cats hair type fiberglass filler (it is a putty with long strands of glass mixed in)<br /><br />As the putty starts to harden (you can just dig a finger nail in - happens within minutes) use a sure-form (like a cheese grater for wood) to grate the filled area level - this stuff dries as hard as a rock and if you wait till it fully hardens and try to sand you will be there all day. Grating while it is semi-hard makes it really easy. Remove mask and re-mask with clean painter's type masking tape.<br /><br />Use marine fairing compound (like bondo but waterproof) to bring the area about flush - again use the grater when it just begins to harden<br /><br />Fair again f necessary and sand smooth<br /><br />Mix your gelcoat to color match, spray with hobby type air sprayer, spray with proper sealer, wet sand then buff.<br /><br />Approach 2<br /><br />Same basic approach as #1 but you make your own cats hair by wetting and shredding some cloth. Then a layer of cloth over the top...<br /><br />I have used approach #1 on areas as large as 12" x 8" If you take your time, work in layers you'll end up with a perfect, undetectable repair.
 
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