How do I fix this? (pic)

[TheFormerlives]

Could this big exposed area of fiberglass cause water to get into my boat? I always end up with about 2 inches of water underneath the deck on my boat while I use it on the lake and I thought this might be the culprit.

Also, how do I go about fixing it? Is it pretty simple or am I going to need to take it somewhere and fork over some money???

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

Hard to tell where that is located. If it is below the water line, then absolutely that can let water intrude into the hull. A temporary "Summer" fix would be to use some Marine-Tex, PC-11, or JB WaterWeld, Or some other Marine Grade fiberglass filler to fill in that area. It might not look GREAT but at least it will stop the water intrustion which can cause MAJOR issues under the deck of your boat. After the boating season you will need to do a proper, sanding and glass repair to the area.

Good Luck

 

[CarTuner]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

That looks like the keel. It can certainly let water in through there.

 

[TheFormerlives]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

Yup thats the keel. I figure its probably from scraping up against rocks and shallow concrete launches, both of which are common where I fish.

So for the time being its a relatively easy fix then?

 

[oops!]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

yep....thats the keel....

caused from a bad trailer match or beaching however i suspect the trailer.

yes water can get in there if the glass is really chewed.

no its not a fast fix.

i am currently rebuilding a keel and it is a long process for me !

grind out the entire area but dont go thru..get rid of any really white glass..clean with acetone

you might want to think about a VE resin for that.

i would use a structural peanut butter with both milled fibers and short strand fibers in it...(1/4 inch)

you might even think of a layer of matt and a finishing veil.

after thats smoothed on making sure to fill all the little holes
mix a gellcoat paste......apply....fair buff and polish......then fix your trailer!

cheers
oops

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

OOPS is the GURU so What he says GOES!!!
Did not realize it was the KEEL! It has to be fixed right so WHAT OOPS SAYS!!!!

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

For a "fast temp" fix, couldn't he just mix up some resin apply it to the exposed areas then a coat of paint on it? Just to get through summer?

 

[oops!]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

For a "fast temp" fix, couldn't he just mix up some resin apply it to the exposed areas then a coat of paint on it? Just to get through summer?

resin by itself is very brittle....then it would have to be ground out when the repair is done properly.

but its nothing to add milled and short strand fibers to the resin to make peanut butter...

but if there is a water intrusion problem....it should also be backed by a layer of glass

the total repair can be done in a day or two ....the worst part is laying on your back sanding.....you can only sand above your head for 15 minits a time before you have to give your arms a break

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

In addition to the keel..... what drive is on the boat? I/O ? Outboard? I would be checking mounting bolts ....look at the lower ones, i/o shift cables and bellows..... for water leak places.....

Also check the rub rail where it mates the cap and hull..... water splashes up and can be forced in under the rail too.

 

[TheFormerlives]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

Thanks guys. I've seen OOPS's advice on a few other threads and like mentioned it seems like he knows what he's talking about. I've never done any fiberglass work before so it'll be an adventure.

I'll have to go and check all the bolts on the ouboard, fish finder etc etc.

Someone else mentioned some JB water weld though, would something like that work just for the summer so I could maybe do some of the more complicated fixing in the off-season?

PS. The trailer is factory and came with the boat so I dont suspect its the culprit quite yet.

 

[nowback]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

that looks narrow enough to be covered nicely by keel guard,,, no?
I seen this keel guard stuff on a boat a couple years ago and i thought
there is a manufacture of a boat with a good idea, i just learned that
its an after market item that anyone can add to their boat to protect
this kind of damage from happening in the first place.
who knows maybe it would go on well enough to seal things up?
someone who knows more about this product chime in...
matt

 

[nowback]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

this stuff
http://www.iboats.com/8-KeelGuard/dm/*******.316374565--**********.034404862--view_id.394201

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

While keelguard is a great product it will not seal up that hole. Once properly repaired then go the keel guard to keep it from happening again. The adhesive on the keel guard is very good so its a one time deal, and they are expensive so use it only after the repair has been made. It really should be done the right way, but you MAY be abel to get by for a few months with a marine tex repair, you will have to grind it all back out to repair properly but it is pretty good stuff if applied right.

 

[nowback]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

looking at the pic i would guess that its not really a hole rather a narrow
area of gel coat thats off and has exposed the glass under it.
that area should be quite thick so i wouldnt think water would get through it?
if that were my boat, as long as its not an open hole I think i would be
tempted to put the keel guard over that..
I was all worried about the gel off on my bayliner in the same area so i did a
little repair and put gel back on which lasted all of a couple years and
it looked like i had never fixed it at all, if i would have known about keel guard
i would have added it to my repair...
matt

 

[Utahboatnut]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

Maybe I'm seeing it wrong but that looks on my monitor like way more than just a bit of missing gelcoat.

 

[nowback]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

Maybe I'm seeing it wrong but that looks on my monitor like way more than just a bit of missing gelcoat.

you might be right, its hard to see in the pic but it looks like there
might be a spot of poor glass work in that area.
in most boats thats the thickest area in the hull and would really have to
be hit to cause a leak.

 

[nowback]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

Could this big exposed area of fiberglass cause water to get into my boat? I always end up with about 2 inches of water underneath the deck on my boat while I use it on the lake and I thought this might be the culprit.

Also, how do I go about fixing it? Is it pretty simple or am I going to need to take it somewhere and fork over some money???

while the boat is on the trailer put a bunch of water in the boat with the
front of the trailer low and see if water comes out through that area.
then you know if thats where its coming in.
matt

 

[TheFormerlives]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

Matt that is a good idea I'll give that a try.

Also, sorry about the poor pic...it was taken on my cell phone. Its not actually a hole but rather an exposed area of fiberglass. I'm not too uptodate on the boat lingo so thats what I'm calling it and I'm sticking to it!

I got way more responses on this thread than I expected. Excellent help on this site for sure, thanks a ton guys.

 

[Doug N.]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

Should the hull be allowed to drain/dry before the repair? Here in MN, water could cause freeze/thaw damage. I don't know if trapped water could cause other problems. (I thought this was close enough to the original question and was pertinent to the repair such that a new thread wasn't needed; pls advise if that is not the case.)

 

[oops!]

Re: How do I fix this? (pic)

hi doug......you start another thread.

as far as water in the boat on the trailer.....and watch for it seeping thru....yep thats ok.....but....there is a big difference between seepage and water that is under 40 mile an hour pressure being forced into the hull