leaking center council need quick fix

[86bonito]

I bought the boat used a few yearsback owner ran it aground and did a repair on the fiberglass on the bottom the job looked pretty rough- go figure it leaks. After 3 hours out and I pulled the plug about 3-5 gallons of water poured out. I dont want to spend a whole lot of time or money to stop the water from comming in! Can I gel coat over the area to stop the leaks or are there any other water proof applications I can use to stop the water? I am not going to keep the boat forever 17 foot bonito CC is a little narrow for me and my kids to work with but she will work untill the finances are a litte better.<br />I know you guys know what to do and thanks for the help.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

Did you repair from the inside out as well?? If your repair is solid, ie. not soft or porous, you should not be getting that much infiltration of water. I HIGHLY recommend the repair be done from both the inside and the outside. Generally the inside repair will be below deck, and you can leave your overlapped material in place; you most definitely should sand the outside bottom repair smooth to the hull. Then you can prime and paint the repair, gel-coat isn't a necessity. If there is that much water in the bilge, it is either not a complete repair, or is it possible the kids are bringing water in with them, and it is going through a hatch somewhere? Do you have a bilge pump? Good idea to have a pump down there.

 

[andy6374]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

Also make sure all your thru-hulls are in good condition. A cracked or loose thru-hull will let in tons of water.<br /><br />Pour some water in the bilge and see if water drips out of the hull, this will confirm if it is the sloppy repair job or something else.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

The easiest and cheapest fix is to sand off the bad part of the old repair and do it again. This time with some help it should turn out good.<br /><br />If you can post a pic it will help.

 

[Solittle]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

If you are looking for a good, cheap, long lasting fix - - it ain't gonna happen.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

i hope you're not getting waterlogged. Bilge pump with float switch a must, i have an 1979 18' Bonita bow rider,, 135 Merc.

 

[86bonito]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

Yes, I do have a bilge pump and float switch I turned it off last trip to get a reading on how much water was comming in.<br /><br />Andy I dont want to sound dumb but what is a thru-hull? a reply will help, knowledge is good!<br />As for filling up ter bilge with water and looking for where the leak is a good idea hopefully it leaks out as well as in.<br />And I agree there is no real good cheep and long lasting fix.<br />Next I will have to figure how to get the boat off the trailer to do the repairs. I know there are plenty of posts on that topic here.<br />Thanks for the input.

 

[86bonito]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

I just filled ip the bilge and waited a few seconds, a large leak from mid-ship bottom v has a crack where it was repaired. Almost a continus stream. It looks like they didnt take the time to sand it at all. There is resin all over the bottom of the boat. n It must have been a hard hit to tear up that much area.<br />My guess to start repairs would be to sand with 40-60 grit to see what i am looking at. How deep do I sand into the glass brfore reapplying a new patch? After new patch cures I expect to sand down again then perpair for paint. I havent looked at iboats for a 1 stop shop repair kit dose anyone know who or where I could find one and at what cost?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

This sounds like the kind of repair that gives polyester the "does not bond well" reputation. Little or no prep, sometimes the dirt and crud isn't even washed off, little or no sanding, then maybe one or two layers of cloth and lots of over or under catalyzed resin is slopped all over the boat, most not even on the repair. Later they are amazed and disapointed that it only held up for part of one season.<br /><br />If you can get to the inside, then there is no problem using polyester resin for this repair. If you can only get to the outside, then it will be easier to get a good repair with epoxy. Just sand it well, use enough glass and follow the directions.

 

[86bonito]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

Yes, thanks ondarvr the repair had so much resin on the bottom and they did not sand it looks like stalgmights (sp) from a cave hanging off the bottom. as to getting to the inside I don't want to cut into the floor and open a whole new can of worms to deal with. You feel the best bet is to go with a epoxy repair I'll have to read up on this i have no exp. on hull repair, but I am very hands on and sure I will get it fixed the way it should be.<br />Do it right the first time, we have no time to do it again!<br /><br />thanks

 

[ondarvr]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

The reason for epoxy is if you can only get to the out side it will bond better and be stronger when it's thinner. You don't want a big build up on the hull of your boat, nor do you want it to peel off at 40 MPH.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

Be sure you rough the area up around the repair. I personally would cut the floor to get to the inside, this is going to be the most sure-fire cure for the problem. I repaired a split in an old glastron year before last that had been previously repaired only from the outside, after my inside/out repair, you could have hit it with a sledgehammer and it wouldn't crack; the repair was much more solid than the rest of the hull. If done properly, it will last forever. If you go the epoxy route, definitely read up on it and follow the steps to the letter, when you think you have done sufficient prep work, do some more! Did I mention prep work is the most important step? Good Luck!!!!!!

 

[ed/il]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

Overhead fiberglass repairs are not easy. Try to get someone that knows what they are doing to help. Cutting an access panel to do repair from the inside might be an option.

 

[jurgenscraft]

Re: leaking center council need quick fix

Good morning,firstly, try and remove as much of the old, bad, repair as possible, then inspect the damage and replan the job, to inspect the damage properly you have no option other than to do this repair from both sides, so like it or not, acess holes will have to be cut through the deck or some suitable possition,then clean up the surfaces both inside and out side,then make the repair properly, plenty advice can be obtained on these forums as to how this repair should be done.I firmly believe that there is no excuse to have unsafe repairs made on a boats hull,hidden damage can cost lives,if in doubt have the repair done professionally, for you and the kids sake. Kind regards William Wright,"Boat restorer extraordoinaire"