Big Hole Now What?

WillyBWright

WillyBWright

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 29, 2003
Messages
8,200
Re: Big Hole Now What?

Sure. You have to fill the void with foam, feather the edges way back so there's about a 2" rim of clean fiberglass to bond to. Then glass a patch with alternating layers of mat and cloth. It's not for the faint-hearted and it'll probably look ugly, but it should be water tight. Check your library. They'll have a book about it. :)
 
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CoachSteve

Cadet
Joined
May 26, 2006
Messages
17
Re: Big Hole Now What?

No insurance, only a $500.00 boat.
I'm not fant hearted. And the boat isn't pretty. Would I need to patch on the inside as well?. And yes it did get very wet, I don't know how to I dry out.

Thanks for your quick responses.
 
studlymandingo

studlymandingo

Commander
Joined
Mar 22, 2006
Messages
2,716
Re: Big Hole Now What?

:^It can be repaired. To do it correctly, you need to cut the floor out. It's going to be a rather extensive as it is a pretty major gash.
 
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CoachSteve

Cadet
Joined
May 26, 2006
Messages
17
Re: Big Hole Now What?

One other thing. Is it possible that the hull weak? I found another repair job more toward the front. We were only going 5 or 10 mph in about 2 foot waves. Does fiberglass get soft?
Thanks
 
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calwldlif

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
348
Re: Big Hole Now What?

Fiberglass gets harder
wood stringers, floor, transome
(wet) get weaker
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Big Hole Now What?

for what it is going to cost for it to be dependable, i would strip it and look for another hull. an i like to restore boats.
 
tashasdaddy

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Big Hole Now What?

i've restored several boats. when i get one too far gone, i strip it and put it in the front yard with a sign on it. FREE BOAT ONLY. they don't last very long. i tow it to there house and push it off the trailer. Better than paying the landfill fee.
 
K

KRS

Banned
Joined
May 15, 2004
Messages
2,383
Re: Big Hole Now What?

West Systems (check their website) has a booklet that discusses repairs, including this one. It isn't too difficult and I would keep that $500 boat on the water until it sinks.

It will take epoxy resin and hardener, some grinding of the hole (proper personal protection such as goggles, gloves, throw-away suit, good breathing filter), and some fiberglass.

Repair can be made from the outside.

The real question is.... Is the wood inside to boat rotten? Can you see inside the hole? Try an ice pick on the wood you can reach... if it's soft and wet then it probably won't be worth cutting out the floor to redo it... at that point I'd go find an aluminum boat and buy it.
 
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