Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

[MASTER Brian]

I have an 86 Ranger 373V fish and ski boat. I found a gouge about 8" long along the bottom of the hull. It's not real bad, but does need fixed.

What kind of material is this boat made of? I ask because I need to know what to use to repair it correctly. I have some 2 part epoxy resin. I'm sure that will work, but want to make certain.

I don't need advice on fixing it, I just need to know what resin to use.

Thanks!!

BTW... the resin I have is AXSON AL 2108 Resin/hardner, it's a clear epoxy laminating resin.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

That is a fiberglass boat. The gouge can be filled with the resin but it would also be good to put new gel coat over the repair. If you can not see that spot (ie. bottom of boat) I would use marine tex to fill and repair it. Is the gouge into the fiberglass? Are there any layers starting to seperate?

 

[dmarkvid2]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

Use West Systems epoxy resin, not polyester

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

It is on the bottom, so it isn't seen. Most of it is a crack, but there is a gouge about 3/4" in diameter. It does get into the glass, which is why I asked.

I plan to grind out any damage and I have some bi-axle cloth that I will use to repair the area. I guess I'll plan on using the epoxy I have. I also have a gel coat repair kit, I wonder if it will work to patch the gel coat.

 

[crunch]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

Hmmmmm.... might be an idea to drill small holes at each end of the crack, that will stop it from continuing.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

The gel coat "may" stick to the epoxy, but it's normally a poor bond, so it may flake off, it will be fixed though. If you want to use gel coat and have it stick, then you need to use polyester resin for the repair.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

What exactly does the gel coat do? My experience has been on jetski hulls which I've always painted. Also, they didn't have gel coat and the ones I've messed with have been SMC material.

I'm not a huge fan of polyester resin, probably unfounded and based on the materials I've messed with. If this hull is truly fiberglass(polyester compatible) and not something like SMC (sheet molded compound), then I'm sure the polyester would be fine. I've just always found epoxy to stick better.

If I use the epoxy, and being as the repair is on the bottom, does it matter if I don't repair the gelcoat? Like I said I plan on elimating the weak areas, by grinding the crack out. I may drill it as well, but I'm not sure I see the point if the damage is all gone. I then will build up the damage with this stuff...

....and then finish it with a nice layer of cloth.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

Well.... fiberglass is not actually waterproof. The gel coat keeps the water out. Epoxy will work fine.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

Also, being as this repair is on the bottom of the hull, and as luck would have it right next to a trailer bunk. If I lift the front of the boat off the bunks and put something between the bunk and the hull to get some space to work am I going to cause any harm to the rest of the hull?

This is a 150hp outboard, which I'll use as a counter weight to get the front of boat in the air. I'm not planning on letting the motor hit the gound, so I don't cause any damage to the LU. But the rest of the boat will be setting on less surface of the trailer. I'm guessing the boat will only hit the trailer on the back and up front where I support it up off the trailer bunks.

I have attached a pic of what I'm thinking. Let me know if it'll work or if I'll put too much pressure on the hull in the area of the support. I suppose I could run a 2x4 or 2x6 as a makeshift bunk above the support. I included a pic of that as well, if that's a better option.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

well the pics didn't load, sorry....

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

Use the epoxy and if you want to hide the repair then paint it, it won't be a great match, but if it's on the bottom you wont' see it unless you look for it.

Your hull is normal polyester, not SMC, SMC can be difficult to bond to, so special products are used to do repairs. Epoxy or polyester will work for what you need to do, but since you have the epoxy already, just go with it.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

Any suggestion on a paint to use?

Would the stuff in a spray can that they use for appliances hold up and/or match fairly close? The bottom of my boat is white-ish...

I actually had some 2 part marine epoxy in a syringe type of deal. It's not what I plan to use for the final repair, but I thought, until season is over, why not. Well, it seems to be holding fairly well...I almost wish I had put some cloth strands in there and maybe I could escape doing anything more.

 

[strizzy]

Re: Ranger....fiberglass, smc, ???

If its just the bottom of the boat, use Marine Tex like bob said. There is no problem in propping the boat up to work on it, just support it well, even a 4x4 or something across the bunks will work, or a floor jack on one side with a nice wood block.

But like ondarvr said, gel wont stick that well to epoxy. So you will need a primer of some sort in there, which is hard enough to get to stick to the gel on the boat already. For the quick, easy, and worry free fix, get some grey marine tex, slap it on, sand it smooth and call it a day. [Note: marine tex is also an epoxy so it wont take gel either]