Cheap fix for deck to hull crack?

gdavies07

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
33
I have a 73 MFG Gypsy 15' converted to a center console. I got the boat pretty cheap but its not the "long term" boat that I want. I figured it was good enough to get me out there killing fish until I could afford something bigger. But its good for the meantime. 99% of the floor is solid, but theres a couple 2'' soft patches or strips i guess where the floor meets the hull. At first I thought i would sand it down and run a 4" then 6" strip of fiberglass but then realized if its a little soft it might recrack. Then I thought epoxy resin should do it but its expensive as hell. Now I'm thinking 3M has some great adhesive caulking in tubes that i could butter in there. What would the best way or best 3M product be to band-aid this to get a season or two out of it until I can afford something bigger (more sea worthy) I picked up the boat to putt around the bays, rivers, and local lakes. I could even just throw a 3/4 plywood over it when we use it and remove the plywood when we get home. I also thought maybe drilling some holes and using a can of expanding foam to support it from underneath.
 

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MichaelP

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 26, 2010
Messages
1,190
Re: Cheap fix for deck to hull crack?

The 3M 5200 might be the quick fix your looking for. I'm no glasser but it doesn't look like it would be too hard to fix properly. Grind out all the loose stuff then fill with poly resin and cloth. But if you find things wet under there you could be opening pandora's box.

The glass pros should be around shortly to give the best advise.
 

zopperman

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 22, 2011
Messages
1,551
Re: Cheap fix for deck to hull crack?

I'd use peanut butter and a layer of CSM and 1708 bi ax over it.
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Cheap fix for deck to hull crack?

I'd use peanut butter and a layer of CSM and 1708 bi ax over it.

this is the correct repair.....under stand....doing it properly, is some times just a step or two more than a bandaid.

the other el cheepo way is marine tex. but you still have to grind and clean
 

island mike

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 31, 2011
Messages
440
Re: Cheap fix for deck to hull crack?

i dont like cheap fixes......
 

BWT

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 30, 2011
Messages
363
Re: Cheap fix for deck to hull crack?

I guess I have a Q as well as a comment :) Like what was said above, peanut butter and glass is a correct way to bond the two surfaces (sole/floor and inside coaming). I think I would probably do a little grinding on the two surfaces first so that you are laying glass on glass, rather than glass on gelcoat..

Now, my Q is did this crack because of the amount of flex in the floor? I.E Rotten plywood for the floor.. If the floor isn't taken care of, the glass will eventually crack again :( I hate to be a bearer of possible bad news, but think it's worth looking into..

Good luck!

~BWT
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Cheap fix for deck to hull crack?

ditto ^^^^^^

and even if you marine tex....you still need to girnd a bit.
but to glass.....it must allays be glass on glass....never glass on gellcoat
 

gdavies07

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
33
Re: Cheap fix for deck to hull crack?

I have a 4 1/2'' grinder with medium sanding discs.. poly based resin, csm, fiberglass mat, and gel coat to repaint it. My plan I believe is to sand it down on the deck and hull, peanut butter where the floor and hull meet, run a strip of 3'' csm, then about a 5'' strip of csm, then a 6-7" strip of woven mat. 1st question... Does this approach sound right? 2nd Q.. I'm using poly resin, what would a good filler be for this application to make a peanut butter?

I believe when they replaced the floor they left a 2" lip of the old floor. When I press on it with my finger it felt spongy and almost hollow to where the good floor was. I thought at first it was just a PB fill that went bad but I drilled a pilot hole and found wet wood. I'm assuming it got wet from water entering through the crack, boat didn't seem to be covered. I feel the boat is too small for me and plan to buy a 17-19' so an extensive involved repair is trying to be avoided.

As far as where or how the crack came to be, I'm not sure. The previous owner was using a ratchet strap over the back of the boat instead of transom to trailer so it may have caused the sides of the hull to flex. I don't remember the crack being there when I bought it. I had pulled on the side of the hull when climbing in and out so I may have done it by pulling on the side of the hull. There's maybe an 1/8-1/16th of an inch of movement in the floor when I step near the crack. I really hate to put the work and money into an entire floor replacement where I'll get rid of so soon.
 

garzilla

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 24, 2010
Messages
174
Re: Cheap fix for deck to hull crack?

Thought I read that flour can be used to thicken your resin.....although I believe cabosil is the right stuff to use.
 
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