HELP WITH HULL PATCHING REPAIR FIND ACCESS?

[JEFF111568]

I NEED TO REPAIR A CRACK IN THE HULL OF MY FIBERGLASS BOAT. PATCH ON OUTSIDE WILL NOT HOLD<br />STILL CRACKS. THE CRACK IS ON THE ROLLER OF THE TRAILER AND HAS EXTRA WIEGHT IN THAT SPOT. I WANT TO GO INSIDE THE HULL A REPAIR EXTRA STRONGE. THUS HOW DO YOU GET TO IT? THE BOAT HAS A INBOARD MOTOR WITH A LARGE GAS TANK IN THE FLOOR. CAN YOU PULL OUT THE TANK TO ACCESS THE HULL? 1984 IMP 190XR FIBERGLASS FLOOR. ANY HELPFUL HINTS IN FIBERGLASS REPAIR WOULD BE VERY THANKFUL.

 

[Oldsaltydog]

Re: HELP WITH HULL PATCHING REPAIR FIND ACCESS?

One way to get to the crack would be to cut a round whole in the floor with a reciprocating saw (and later cover it with an "inspection hatch.") For patching, you could use fiberglass resin with a hardener, sand off the surface first, apply the mixture, and then place a fiberglass mat over it. Once dry, put a coat or two of fiberglass resin over the mat and adjacent hull area again. Repeat the process on the outside. All of the needed materials are available at West Marine, Boaters World, and perhaps at this web site. All this stuff may go under the name of "fiberglass repair kit" or the like -- except for the hatch. It's not difficult to do but it's messy and takes some time.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: HELP WITH HULL PATCHING REPAIR FIND ACCESS?

Actually a topic for the Backyard Repair section.... but as a tip if you drill a hole at the end of the crack before you patch it sometimes prevents the crack from spreading.<br /><br />bob

 

[Ben Konopacky]

Re: HELP WITH HULL PATCHING REPAIR FIND ACCESS?

the biggest problem with f.g. repair is moisture in the area of repair. It needs to be bone dry for it to to cure .if you have foam behind that crack it's a BIG problem that has to be removed..

 

[JEFF111568]

Re: HELP WITH HULL PATCHING REPAIR FIND ACCESS?

thanks guys; I sanded and cut a hole in boat.found rotting wood and cleaned out. got a fan drying right now. Time to shop for f/g repair stuff. Jeff

 

[CTD]

Re: HELP WITH HULL PATCHING REPAIR FIND ACCESS?

If you want it strong use epoxy, special mat is used for epoxy if you use mat. US Composites has the best prices I have found.

 

[Solittle]

Re: HELP WITH HULL PATCHING REPAIR FIND ACCESS?

jeff - You did'nt give us much of a description of the rotting wood - for what it is worth rotting wood usually requires that it be cut out and repalced - - a fan won't cut it.