Repair a LARGE hole ???

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

I'd be surprised if the hull sides were symmetrical, most aren't, you'd be amazed at how much some are off. Since you can't see both sides at the same time, there's no way to tell by just looking.
 

Ned L

Commander
Joined
Sep 17, 2008
Messages
2,268
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

I would have thought that with CAD & CNC for designing & building plugs these days that things would be more symetrical. - I know that traditionally, symetry was not always there. I'ver read stories about reputable builders getting half way through the hull construction & someone noticing that things didn't look right, only to learn with a tape measure that there was a foot more beam on one side of the hull than the other. - The solution was to jack out the narrow side to match the beamier side. That boat ended up with 2 feet more beam that her sistership.
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

The CAD & CNC cut molds are much better, but I still see them off up to about 2" at times, it's mostly due to the human factor, ya get one of those pesky things involved and you never know what will get screwed up.

Actually there's still glass work and hand fairing involved after it's cut, then the final mold may change shape a little, or the hull can shrink and then be tweaked by the bulkheads and other things glassed into it. This all makes it very difficult for it to be exactly the same on both sides.
 

reelfishin

Captain
Joined
Mar 19, 2007
Messages
3,050
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

It's not the repair that would scare me, its the cost of upkeep and maintenance, not to mention fuel and dock fees. I had a 42' and downsized to a 31' when gas first jumped up, I've now been sticking with only the smaller boats, nothing over 18'. It's just not worth all the expense to me to keep such a boat.

If your looking at it as an investment for resale, You have to really do the math and figure the cost of your own labor, time etc. Plus all the materials and other costs incurred. It would have to be nearly free for it even to come close to being worth all the work and time.
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

Its gonna show on the title that was a totalled hull, it might make sense to have a pro shop do at least some repair , that way you can document the repairs were done "properly".
 

mnydvr

Seaman
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
51
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

In the past when doing LARGE repairs ,the best method we found to support your intial lay up (without any old pieces for reference) is to use very thin plexiglas,from any hardware store,grind back or cut out any frayed edges,on the inside you can use claw glass to bond the sheet.Cut the sheet to extend about 2in.around all edges,use a commercial heat gun to heat the plexi to confrom to all your contours,this can be done in one or more pieces,once you have the piece(s) shaped to fit,apply masking tape to the outward facing surfaces of the plexi,use claw glass to attach to the inside,mix the claw glass for and MEDIUM cure,use a bakers decorating funnel(the thing they use to decorate cakes) filled with the mix and only apply where needed to hold the forms,this can be secured with masking or duct tape until hardened it should only take 5 or 10 mins. to set up,being sure the fit is very tight.once it sets you have your backing to start laying up on the outside.With a rough lay up done out side,go back inside and remove the plexi which will release because you did 'nt let the resin get to hard and it won't stick to the masking tape and proceed to glass the inside,this will give you an even repair inside,be sure to roll the matting thorouhly with a glass roller to get the air "OUT" and the resin IN ,once you have the inside DONE,then go to the outside and do the same till its all even,then all you have left is the gel cote work,this is a MAJOR undertaking and takes alot of time and experience to do right and pass inspection ,they ARE or should be going to ask for pictures and do a density test over the repair,so be sure you have the right amount of mils of glass,did ALOT of these for ALOT of insrance claims and 3' by 5' isn't really big at all,just REALLY expensive,do you know how to spray and blend gel??
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

well bubba? are you up to your elbows in it yet? :D
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

In the past when doing LARGE repairs ,the best method we found to support your intial lay up (without any old pieces for reference) is to use very thin plexiglas,from any hardware store,grind back or cut out any frayed edges,on the inside you can use claw glass to bond the sheet.Cut the sheet to extend about 2in.around all edges,use a commercial heat gun to heat the plexi to confrom to all your contours,this can be done in one or more pieces,once you have the piece(s) shaped to fit,apply masking tape to the outward facing surfaces of the plexi,use claw glass to attach to the inside,mix the claw glass for and MEDIUM cure,use a bakers decorating funnel(the thing they use to decorate cakes) filled with the mix and only apply where needed to hold the forms,this can be secured with masking or duct tape until hardened it should only take 5 or 10 mins. to set up,being sure the fit is very tight.once it sets you have your backing to start laying up on the outside.With a rough lay up done out side,go back inside and remove the plexi which will release because you did 'nt let the resin get to hard and it won't stick to the masking tape and proceed to glass the inside,this will give you an even repair inside,be sure to roll the matting thorouhly with a glass roller to get the air "OUT" and the resin IN ,once you have the inside DONE,then go to the outside and do the same till its all even,then all you have left is the gel cote work,this is a MAJOR undertaking and takes alot of time and experience to do right and pass inspection ,they ARE or should be going to ask for pictures and do a density test over the repair,so be sure you have the right amount of mils of glass,did ALOT of these for ALOT of insrance claims and 3' by 5' isn't really big at all,just REALLY expensive,do you know how to spray and blend gel??

on a side note....
window glass makes a fantastic mold for gellcoating/glassing..(a flat peice)...i cant see why plexi glass wouldnt do the same
 

mnydvr

Seaman
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
51
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

The real thin plexi works really well because it has been found to be very easy to use with the heat gun,once you get the form made it acts just like a mold ,its easy to work with,its cheap,it can be attached with only tape in most cases and if you need a really SHARP edge you can use two pieces to make it with,I like it because it is so easy to remove and the surface it leaves is very workable,try it,alot of different ways have been used,to me this is the easiest,I did a sailboat with a side repair of about 9' by 41/2' on a aft corner ,it took HALF the time doing it this way,and the idea came from a plexi glass mixing board I was using on another job,you just lay up the sheet(s) on the inside heat um' up to fit and glue um' down and start glassin':D
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

thick arbourite works really good as well......it can make most bends....and is really easy to reinforce on larger surfaces.

depending on the surface of the arbourite,,,,,and the wax job you put on it....it can be a super mold.

i buy chipped or cracked stuff from the local wholesaler for pennies cheap
 

JaSla74

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 14, 2008
Messages
506
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

Did you go for it, or let it pass? If you got it I'd be curious to see some pics.
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

i beleive this project is on hold till the owner takes his head outta his......
 

mnydvr

Seaman
Joined
Nov 12, 2008
Messages
51
Re: Repair a LARGE hole ???

I hear theres a new procedure for tha but you need the seller,the buyer,a surveyor and 2 certified marine mechanics to be present just to discuss how to do it!!:D
 
Top