I have been reading lots of fiberglass/keel repair forums but am in need of some more specific advice. I have a 2000 Ranger bass boat, 19' that I got last summer. I noticed the gel coat was "wearing" on the keel, I'm assuming from beaching the boat. However, I did not realize that it was also wearing/worn through the fiberglass in a couple spots. (I know now it should have been repaired right away). I took another look at it this spring and it is a lot worse. The whole area is about 4' long along the keel that is worn through the gel coat. There is one spot, about 1/4" x 1" where you can see the fiberglass mat. Another spot is about 1/4" x 1" and in this spot you can feel the foam behind it. Although there are only those two small areas that seem to be to or through the fiberglass mat, I'm suspecting I'll need to reinforce most of the 4' length to be safe. See pictures. (I had to resize the pictures, not sure if you can see them very good. If you can't see them good, what is a better way to post the pics?
I have a couple more pics if needed.
When I first started reading fiberglass posts I thought this would be what a seasoned fiberglass veteran would consider a standard straight forward fiberglass repair. However, after reading more I'm having second thoughts and feel more confused, especially since the one hole is all the way to the foam. I plan on keeping this boat for a long time, so I want the repair to hold up. I don't want to have to do it again if possible. I think this is something I can do myself, but I want to do it right. I don't have the tools yet, but if I decide to proceed, I would get all the tools. My plan is to repair the keel, then put a keel guard over it to protect it from future damage, and also I would not have to be as picky on the finishing/gel coat. My specific questions are as follows:
1. I don't think I have the skill, time, or money to rip up the entire deck to get to the repair from the other side. Can I do a quality permanent fix from underneath the the boat without ripping out the deck? I know fiberglass repairs from upside down are not ideal conditions, but can I still do a quality long lasting fix?
2. On the hole that goes to the foam; would I need to use some sort of backing between the foam and fiberglass? What material, how?
3. Approx. (ballpark guess) how much would this cost to have professionally fixed?
4. If its not possible to get a permanent or long lasting repair this way, approx. how long can I expect it to last? (I know there are many variables) And would it be a very bad idea to put a keel guard over a repair that is not expected to last for a very long time? At least without a keel guard I could see when/if it started to break down again?
5. Not too important but just curious, does this look like it may have been repaired in the past?
6. Am I correct in my thinking that I should use epoxy resin vs. poly resin, due to the fact that I will be bonding to old fiberglass? Or does it matter? Would I need to use some sort of filler to build up the keel, or just do multiple layers of mats/cloth?
7. How long do you think this repair would take? (I obviously have not done any fiberglass work in the past) I can work on it on weekends and some evenings.
8. The foam felt dry, and it is a newer boat, so I don't think I have to worry about the foam being moldy, rotted, soaked etc. It was not stored on the water at any times and has been in storage since last October. Am I correct in this assumption?
Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Hopefully I have provided enough info, if not let me know. thanks.
I have a couple more pics if needed.
When I first started reading fiberglass posts I thought this would be what a seasoned fiberglass veteran would consider a standard straight forward fiberglass repair. However, after reading more I'm having second thoughts and feel more confused, especially since the one hole is all the way to the foam. I plan on keeping this boat for a long time, so I want the repair to hold up. I don't want to have to do it again if possible. I think this is something I can do myself, but I want to do it right. I don't have the tools yet, but if I decide to proceed, I would get all the tools. My plan is to repair the keel, then put a keel guard over it to protect it from future damage, and also I would not have to be as picky on the finishing/gel coat. My specific questions are as follows:
1. I don't think I have the skill, time, or money to rip up the entire deck to get to the repair from the other side. Can I do a quality permanent fix from underneath the the boat without ripping out the deck? I know fiberglass repairs from upside down are not ideal conditions, but can I still do a quality long lasting fix?
2. On the hole that goes to the foam; would I need to use some sort of backing between the foam and fiberglass? What material, how?
3. Approx. (ballpark guess) how much would this cost to have professionally fixed?
4. If its not possible to get a permanent or long lasting repair this way, approx. how long can I expect it to last? (I know there are many variables) And would it be a very bad idea to put a keel guard over a repair that is not expected to last for a very long time? At least without a keel guard I could see when/if it started to break down again?
5. Not too important but just curious, does this look like it may have been repaired in the past?
6. Am I correct in my thinking that I should use epoxy resin vs. poly resin, due to the fact that I will be bonding to old fiberglass? Or does it matter? Would I need to use some sort of filler to build up the keel, or just do multiple layers of mats/cloth?
7. How long do you think this repair would take? (I obviously have not done any fiberglass work in the past) I can work on it on weekends and some evenings.
8. The foam felt dry, and it is a newer boat, so I don't think I have to worry about the foam being moldy, rotted, soaked etc. It was not stored on the water at any times and has been in storage since last October. Am I correct in this assumption?
Any advice/input would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance. Hopefully I have provided enough info, if not let me know. thanks.
