Need fiberglass/gel coat advise

[Dmopar74]

I just bought my first "powerboat" and need some advise on how to repair a small hole and about a 3' long scratch on the hull. I've been doing some research online but does anyone have any pointers for me?

 

[Rickmerrill]

I'm sure some expert advice will be along shortly. In the mean time you might want to watch some of the gelcoat videos at boatworkstoday if you haven't discovered the site already http://boatworkstoday.com/video-page. Color matching is going to be the most difficult part IMHO if that's what your shooting for. It would help to know if you have inside access to the hole for repairs.

 

[Dmopar74]

Thanks I will look into those. I haven't looked to see if I have access from the inside yet. I threw my back out and barely managed to get on the creeper to take that pic. We did take the boat out before I bought it and it didn't leak so maybe it's not fully through the hull.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Hi There,

This hole has punctured through and will require a different technique than what you need for just a cosmetic fix. I believe this video will give you an overview of the process. Where is the damage in the hull? Can you take a zoomed out picture so we can determine it location? Also, is it above or below the water line? What kind of boat (make, model, year)?

Be careful though. Pros - because they do this every day - makes it look so easy and anyone can do it. This procedure will require some experience working with fiberglass and gelcoat. Of course you can do it yourself but if you never worked with fiberglass or gel, consider practicing on a piece of scrap.

 

[Dmopar74]

Thanks. The hole is on the underside of the boat, deff below the waterline. It's an 83 sun runner 18' open bow. I've dealt with fiberglass many moons ago but never the gel coat part.

 

[Rickmerrill]

Ouch, getting on a creeper with a sore back, I feel for you. I agree with deepblue that puncture wound is thru the hull. My fear is water is getting trapped between the hull and deck and you won't see it leaking.

 

[Dmopar74]

Well I guess I'm gonna learn something new then! No worries though, plenty of time till next season.

 

[Woodonglass]

You didn't say if you'd have access to do the repair from only the outside or from the inside as well. If from the outside only then the video does you no good. You'll need to use a slightly different technique.

 

[Dmopar74]

I just tried to look from the inside. I cannot get to it internally.

 

[DeepBlue2010]

In this case, as WoG indicated, you will need a different technique. This video will give you a good overview of this technique. You don't need to use epoxy and for sure you don't need to make a cut as wide as the one in the video. Use the video as a guideline only not an exact procedure.

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhhhmm, I'm pretty sure you don't have a cored hull as the video shows. You're hull will prolly just be about 1/4" solid fiber glass. Here's how I'd recommend repairing the hole from the outside. It's Kinda similar to the video but not nearly as complicated. Use a jigsaw to cut the hole out to about 3" in diameter (Baseball Size) Like the video shows use 60 grit paper to reach inside and sand it off as best you can and then wipe it down in there with Acetone as best as possible. Now use Use Wax Paper and a Layer of CSM, 1708 and 2 more Layers of CSM to make a Patch thats 5' around like the video shows. Wet em all out on the wax paper and then in about 25 mins when it tacks up peel it off and drill two holes in the center of the patch. run some string in the holes and then bend the patch so you can stick it in the hole. Now follow this pic to do the repair.



You'll smear some Thickened Resin on the inside of the hole (We call it Peanut Butter) and then use the string to pull the patch up into place. Use a block of wood or something on the outside to tie off the patch to hold it in place while it cures. After it does in about 45 minutes untie the string and then mix up some more PB fill in the depression and then lay a layer of CSM ,1708 and 2 more CSM over the hole area and then sand and fair everything smooth 3-4 coats of Gelcoat Sand, and Polish and she's good as new.

As you can see, it's very similar and yet different.

Hope that all makes sense.

 

[Dmopar74]

Yes thank you! I can manage that.

 

[Woodonglass]

I left out that you should grind the edges on the outside and feather them towards the center to give a valley effect. Then fill with a thin layer of PB and then the layers of CSM 1708 and CSM CSM The Outside patch should use cloth patches that are progressively larger than the first. A good fairing material is 3M Premium Filler. If you thin it just a bit with Acetone and make it really creamy it'll spread really well