Crack in hull . Gulb -gulb

[scrapper]

Well I took my 1980 Carevelle out on her maiden run yesterday . Thought Id take it out in the chanel at a local port here before I took her on Lake Erie , Good thing I did she took on about five gals of water in about two hours . took it home put plug in , filled it with water , hmmm small leak just in about a inch from the chine up front on starboard side. After boat emptied I started sanding the sore spot . Which turned into a nightmare of a crack three and a half feet long .Some thoughtless son of a sea cow had covered up with bondo,Not at all caring what might happen to the next guy (Me) I want to fix it if I can ,(old loves die hard) Im thinking of using fiberglass cloth and hardner,Put on about three or four layers for strength.Then finishing it with Marglass. Anyone got any better advice on how to do this on a limited budget? ... Doug

 

[crab bait]

Re: Crack in hull . Gulb -gulb

yeah,, your way ain't bad.. but it'll be a hunka ugly mess.. an the crack still there .. just covered up under a ugly patch..<br /><br />i'd do it in ALL EPOXY products.. <br /><br />i'd open up the crack with a dremel tool into a 'vee'.. about atleast a 3/16 inch vee.. all along the way an a inch or two past on each end of crack..<br /><br />apply epoxy in the vee and while still wet<br /><br />mix epoxy with 'milled fibreglass powder' into a putty.. apply to vee also..<br /><br />this stuff an method is tremendious strenght..<br /><br />wrap crack lenght 2x4 with saran wrap an chock up tite to the crack withe pump jack (s) an/or prop sticks .. as so to hold the putty mess in place while curing.. if'n boat can't be flipped..<br /> <br />sand level..<br /><br />then apply one layer strip of 7 1/2 oz EPOXY GRADE cloth over that an squeege it smooth.. <br /><br />cloth cut an inch wider then the crack will be find.. no sense in going beyond the chine..<br /><br />after cure,, you can mix some epoxy an silica together to spackle consistentcy an spackel the edges an feather edge.. <br /><br />sand ,wash & paint.. never see it..<br /><br />clean up ANY un-cured epoxy with vinegar..

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Crack in hull . Gulb -gulb

You can use polyester resin or epoxy both will work, epoxy is stronger, poly costs less. Don't use only cloth if you use poly though, it won't bond well, you need to use mat (the fuzzy stuff) as a first layer and inbetween each layer of cloth or roving. If you can get to the inside of the boat in that area, you can build it up on the inside for strength, then just do a cosmetic repair on the outside.

 

[scrapper]

Re: Crack in hull . Gulb -gulb

Hey thanks guys for your reply ,both ways sound good to me . Im sure gonna give it a try . Im going to get some help from a buddy and see if we can flip it over so I can work on it easier. I will keep you informed of my progress on it Thank You both for your input, It is Much appreciated ... Doug

 

[scrapper]

Re: Crack in hull . Gulb -gulb

Well guys . Shes watertight and smooth again did the V thing , Filled it with epoxy .Put the strip on . Went in side and laid fiberglass in there too , (While its apart fix it all ) this spot now is probably stronger than it was new . The best part is she dont take on water anymore ...Thanks Again Guys you were both a big help to me ....Doug

 

[crab bait]

Re: Crack in hull . Gulb -gulb

thanks for the 'comeback'.. did you use epoxy an milled glass..??

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Crack in hull . Gulb -gulb

Scrapper, I recommend you monitor the crack, now that it is repaired. I have had fixes (if I understood your fix)recrack. If it does, I recommend you repair it from the inside. Also, sometimes those cracks are the result of the fiberglass hull flexing too much, usually due to bad stringers or frames. If it leaks, open up the inside, check/repair the stringers/frames, install additional stringers/frames if necessary, and lay layers of resin-saturated cloth and mat over the crack. Build up the repair until it is the same thickness as the original hull.

 

[scrapper]

Re: Crack in hull . Gulb -gulb

To - Crab Bait... Yes I did < And like yousaid cleaned up nice ,Never know it was there.

 

[scrapper]

Re: Crack in hull . Gulb -gulb

Chris 1956 thanks for your advice ,I guess Ill always be keeping an eye on it . But I think this crack was caused by hitting rocks or something because there were a lot of deep scratches around the area as well . The boat originaly came out of Peterbourgh Ont, and was used in Northern waters (lots of rocks up there ) But I ll sure keep an eye on it Thanks ...Doug