Fixing the hull from the Outside

[c-level]

I'm currently looking at possibly buying a ocean catamaran (outboard powered) and it has some damage on the hull where the twin hulls are hitting the bottom of the rollers on the trailer. From what I can tell the fiberglass has split and water entered and damaged the foam underneath on one of the cats, and the other side appears to have a split as well.

I read up on the forums about cutting out foam and injecting closed cell foam to fill the gaps, however due to the nature of the boat I'm pretty sure I will have to cut out the damaged fiberglass on the hull (the keel part) and glass/gel coat it afterwards. From what I'm reading it's always better to do it inside out, is it possible to fiberglass a boat from the outside? Any thoughts?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Fixing the hull from the Outside

Not effective and will not last. The proper repair must be done from both sides..... no shotcuts here.

Welcome to iboats. Read through this restoration section and most of your questions will be answered. Someone has been through similar repairs and posted it but don't be shy ....... ask away on the questions.

Keep in mind the foam is NOT structural at all it is strictly for needed floatation.

 

[oops!]

Re: Fixing the hull from the Outside

hi.....welcome to i boats...

tough to tell from the pics.

but as bob said....a bandaid will come off.

if the foam is wet.....it must be dug out......the best way to do that is from the inside.

if you cut the keels.....and dig the foam from the bottom.....you will have no way to get the fiberglass to adhere to the inside of the hull.....by just laying glass on the outside.....it will be hard to get the shape of the hull and will have a "bump" in the hull....or a hook........

its s best to dig out the faom from the inside.....repair the glass....then repair from the outside...then re foam.

we can walk you right thru it....it just takes time and labor......but after your done it will be a fully repaird safe hull

xheers
oops

 

[ylop]

Re: Fixing the hull from the Outside

there are other thing to think about as well, is there any water damage to the stringers, transom or deck these things can all be repaired its just a matter of time and money, money, money.
Paul

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Fixing the hull from the Outside

Run ! Run !

 

[kaferhaus]

Re: Fixing the hull from the Outside

Run ! Run !

Unless there's very easy access to the repair area from the top (not likely) that gives you plenty of room to dig, grind etc. I'd find another boat.

And as the owner of several Cat's, that looks more like grounding or fell off the trailer damage to me than any roller damage.... never seen de-lamination caused by a poor roller fit.... rollers are rubber. That's a very hard scrape or impact damage.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Fixing the hull from the Outside

While it's better to do some of the repair from the inside, it can all be done on the outside and be fine. The harder part is getting the waterlogged foam taken care of, if you can't get at from the inside you'll need to make the crack larger so you dig it out from the outside.

One other question, does it even have foam in it?

 

[c-level]

Re: Fixing the hull from the Outside

Yeah thanks guys, I think I'm going to have to pass then . Too bad, I really wanted that cat.

I havn't even seen the boat in person, the owner said that there was some foam that would need to be replaced. I figured I could do the glass work but didn't want to have to cut a hole in the deck and pull the foam out and work from the inside on the glass.