Best way to join fiberglass back together

[garrett61]

I recently had done the transom on thy glassmaster<br />had to cut across to get the transom out.<br />It's all in fits great just would like some oppinion on the strongest way to rejoin the 2 parts of the boat. <br />Got rid of that 140 hp merc tower of power got a new etec ready to go <br />Thanks in advance you guys have been great thru the entire restoration.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

I'm not sure where you cut it, a pic or more info will help.<br /><br />What size E-TEC did you get?

 

[ed/il]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

Not sure what you cut but it sounds like splash well. To bond fiberglass to fiberglass use fiberglass.

 

[njmako]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

If this is joining two parts of the floor togeather you will want to grind back both sides to be attached about 4 to 6 inches on both sides, then mount some cleats made out of plywood 1/2" or 3/4" inch to the underside of the floor in the boat already. I would go a step further with the cleats and before mounting them, prime them with resin to waterproof them better. The cleat will create a shelf for the old floor to rest on. You can use a mixture of resin and cabosil to create a putty to mount the cleats to the underside of the existing floor, use a few screws to hold the cleats in place through the top of the deck while the putty dries. then place some putty on the cleats which the floor you are joining to will rest. Drop the joining floor in, you can screw it down to get a good bond. After the putty is dried, you can bo back and remove the screws. You should have two floor joined and fairly level with about 4 inches on either side of the joint grinded back. You will want to build up the grinded back area with 1.5oz matt in wider and wider lengths....after you have got it level with the existing floor you should have a strong joint to come back with filler, sanding, prime and gelcoat.

 

[andy6374]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

Garrett61-<br /><br /> http://www.fiberglass-repair.com/ordertrdisc2.html <br /><br />Click on the slide-show. Its a preview of the video, but he re-attaches a splashwell. I think this is what you might be refering to.<br /><br />Where in Warwick are you from? I live right near warwick neck

 

[garrett61]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

Sorry about the not so informative post guys. Thank you for the many helpful quick replies. Its a 150hp to answer your question. Yes i am re attaching my splashwell. I did the entire deck in poly. The transom and bilge area along with stringer repair was all epoxy. My main question was what will give it a better bond the poxy or poly in this case? My other question was where can i get a tool to bend the brass drain plugs to fit? a hammer? Also when i mix the putty for the splashwell to go against the transom chop strand ok? thanks again .<br />Andy i live in East Greenwich off of king street now. Once i get a bit more done love to meet up and see your boat also. Far as the videos i have them both bought em last year when i got my boat along with a bunch of books.

 

[surlyjoe]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

are you talking about where the splashwell neets the transom?

 

[garrett61]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

Yes i pretty much had to cut the splashwell in the middle the width of the boat. the transom floor and stringers where replaced. Now im having fun tryin to fit the splashwell together as it lost its shape a little. any ideas would help

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

It's hard to say what to do without a picture, but if things don't line up, put a piece of wood behind the 2 sections and then screw through each section and into the wood. You can use long or short lengths of wood and shims to get the shape you need, then just glass the areas between the screws. When it's hard take the screws out, pull the wood off and glass all of it.

 

[garrett61]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

I was thinking of clamps Thats a much better idea thanks. Screwholes wont stress crack it? I am going to Gel the whole boat now that its ready once this last peice is properly in place. Since i work outside on the boat its up to the weather for Pics. I will update <br />Thanks again ondavr.

 

[garrett61]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

I was thinking of clamps Thats a much better idea thanks. Screwholes wont stress crack it? I am going to Gel the whole boat now that its ready once this last peice is properly in place. Since i work outside on the boat its up to the weather for Pics. I will update <br />Thanks again ondavr.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

The screw holes should be drilled in areas that will be covered by the repair if possible, then there's no problem with stress cracks. Even if they aren't covered by the repair you will be patching the holes, any stress cracks can be taken care of then.<br /><br /><br />When you said gel the whole boat, did you mean re-gel coat the entire thing, or just the repaired area?

 

[garrett61]

Re: Best way to join fiberglass back together

The entire outide is very dull scattered chips maybee 6 or so figure i would sand it all down and re gel then paint. Either way im painting the outide with perfection.