Fiberglass repair on a 1991 Bayliner

[Glassport from Newport]

When I bought my boat 2 months ago (1991 Bayliner Capri 1850) the previous owner told me that he had drifted into some partially submerged logs while fishing. He claims that the boat never took on water and that the scratch (more like a tear) only went through the gel coat. He attempted to make a repair just to "be safe" but did a horrible job. I knew this when buying the boat, but the price was still good.

The previous owner was not mechanically inclined by any means, but he admitted it also. Now that I have the boat running nicely, I noticed that I am taking on some water in the compartment (Is it called a pod?) under the rear seat next to the area where this damage is. I included pics of the "repaired" area and also of the area where I seem to be collecting water. It looks like there is a hairline crack in the deck of the area that is taking on water, but the hull of the boat is at least 12 inches below the deck in this area (I'm pretty sure it's called a pod). Could this water be from the damaged area on the side of the boat and it's finding it's way into this area? At first I thought the water came from the blower intake vent, but there has been no water intrusion on the other side of the boat near the other vent. Also, I don't seem to take on any water unless I have weight in the rear of the boat. The damage is just at the water line when the boat is empty, so I'm pretty sure the water intrusion is from the damage.

What is the best way to repair this area (resin? matting? or just fiberglass body filler?) and can it be done in steps so that I can still use the boat on the weekends or is this a job that has to be done all at once? (does the resin or filler need a long time to cure?) I would like to make this repair look good even if I have to do it again over the winter to make the boat look right. (practice makes perfect?)

Thanks in advance to any info and help on this matter. Everyone on here rocks!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Fiberglass repair on a 1991 Bayliner

I was only able to enlarge the top two pics, the bottom ones were hard to look at being so small.

If you can get to the inside it will make the job much easier, the strength can be added there, then the outside can be more of a cosmetic repair. If you want you can do a temporary repair to stop the leaks and then do a much better repair later, or it can be done in stages, but if you dig into it, it really won't take as long as you think to do the whole thing and make it look much better.

If you can find spots on the outside that look suspicious, you can put a temporary repair on them to see if stops the water from getting in. This could be duct tape, clay, hot glue, body filler or anything that will be water tight long enough for you to test it. Frequently when you start looking close and doing a little grinding it becomes obvious where the leaks are though.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Fiberglass repair on a 1991 Bayliner

2nd photo, dead center of the pic, thats a leak.

 

[Glassport from Newport]

Re: Fiberglass repair on a 1991 Bayliner

The area where I see water (the later pics) is under the rear seat on top of the pod. There also seems to be an area on the side that is 6 to 12 inches thick (also part of the pod?) that makes up the backside (inside) of where the damaged area is. I pushed on the area and it seems weak. I think there was more damage done than what the previous owner had claimed.

Can I use something like Bondo fiberglass filler, after grinding down the area, and some enamel paint to see if the leak is stopped? Would this be a strong enogh repair to get me through till fall when I can take my time and do the job right? I use the boat about once a week during the summer.

If not, what are the best steps to do this repair and what should I use? (Epoxy or is poly resin fine, do I need to use glass or chopped mat?) To get to the inside, I would have to tear into that pod area and probably be dealing with foam and other issues.

Thanks again guys for your help.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Fiberglass repair on a 1991 Bayliner

Can I use something like Bondo fiberglass filler, after grinding down the area, and some enamel paint to see if the leak is stopped? Would this be a strong enogh repair to get me through till fall when I can take my time and do the job right? I use the boat about once a week during the summer.

Hello m8...

Well if your gonna grind it down..just put some mat on it ( Please not filler ).

YD.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Fiberglass repair on a 1991 Bayliner

Like YD said, don't use body filler to fix anything. If you're going to attempt any kind of repair, do one that will be of value and last, it will take about 20 minutes longer to glass it than just using bondo. I'm not saying this will be pretty, but it will be solid and water tight until you want to finish it.

 

[Glassport from Newport]

Re: Fiberglass repair on a 1991 Bayliner

Will the area be hard to sand or grind down later if I use mat and resin? I was thinking of doing this with poly resin & mat, spraying it with some enamel after it's cured, and then work on making it pretty over the winter months.

I'm guessing that after the initial repair (with mat & resin) I should be able to just sand and smooth out the area at a later time. Would I use resin to build up the area at that time if needed to get the right form or is there something else I should use as a sandable filler? Do I need a special primer for fiberglass before painting? Also, when it's done, do I match the colors with paint and then put on clear gelcoat or do I have to use a tinted gelcoat?

I've done some body work on cars, and I've fiberglassed in a new deck and stringer on my old boat, but I want to make this a good looking repair and I'm new at working on boat hulls.

Thanks again and I appologize for all of the questions.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Fiberglass repair on a 1991 Bayliner

Hello again Glassport..

"Will the area be hard to sand or grind down later if I use mat and resin? "

I sure hope so..

"I was thinking of doing this with poly resin & mat"

Aye.. good choice ..

"I'm guessing that after the initial repair (with mat & resin) I should be able to just sand and smooth out the area at a later time."

Yup..

"Would I use resin to build up the area at that time if needed to get the right form or is there something else I should use as a sandable filler?"

IF you glass "proud" ( thick )..there is no need for a secondary filler.. ( I dont like fillers.. glass is glass..gel is gel.. replace what you take out with the same.) Seems so many would like to do the quick fix out of the can when the simple way is the right way

"Do I need a special primer for fiberglass before painting?"

Not if you re-gelcoat... yes for paint..

"Also, when it's done, do I match the colors with paint and then put on clear gelcoat or do I have to use a tinted gelcoat? "

You do one or the other..GEL or PAINT.. there is no Clearing over with gelcoat.. contacting a manufacture for gel would be a good First step..

"Thanks again and I appologize for all of the questions."

Dont ever appologize.. if you want you can apologize .. none needed m8..

YD.

 

[Glassport from Newport]

Re: Fiberglass repair on a 1991 Bayliner

Thanks for your help Yacht Dr. I will be using mat & resin.