Small hole repair

[Fireman7777]

Hi, I have a small hole in my hull. I have a 17' fiberglass skiboat. The 2x4 on the trailer that the boat sits on rotted out and the metal bracket that held the 2x4 in place punched up into the hull of the boat. The hole is about 2" around. It doesn't leak any water, but the fiberglass is pushed in about 1/2 inch or so. What would be the best way to fix this? I will try to take a few pictures of it tomorrow and post them. Thanks!

 

[oops!]

Re: Small hole repair

hi fireman.

without pics its tough to say.

but it is most likely an inside out repair.
meaning you have to repair it from both the inside (wich means opening the deck (floor) and doing a glass job to the interior of the hull and then proceeding to do the same to the outside.

the area of the hole will dictate the proper approach for the repair.

i have seen some really tricky repairs come out great !

cheers
oops

 

[Fireman7777]

Re: Small hole repair

yeah...reading up on repairs here seems to indicate that most repairs are an inside out job. I'll get a picture of the hole posted tonight so that you all can give me a better idea of what I'll have to do. Do you think this could be part of my rough wake problem? (http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=329792)

 

[oops!]

Re: Small hole repair

fireman that link was for your over heating/prop question...

as far as a rough wake question....its unlkely...(im not really sure what a rough wake is)

however a small hole or "bulge" into the hull will cause increased drag and possible handeling problems.

it can cause an unuasual wake if there is somthing protruding from the problem area

 

[Fireman7777]

Re: Small hole repair

yeah...if you read down to the bottom of that post, it has mention of my wake problem. Anyway, here are a few pictures of my hole. It is 1 inch across by about 2 inches tall. It indents less than 1/4 inch. Here are a few pics. It is just below the driver's seat about 18" from the keel.

 

[Fireman7777]

Re: Small hole repair

Soo....looking at the pictures does anyone have any suggestions? Can I just skim over it with some epoxy resin and kitty hair, then sand and gelcoat?

 

[lowkee]

Re: Small hole repair

Oh, heck. I'd just fill that with some Bondo-glass and be done with it. This is assuming your bunks have been fixed and this won't be a pressure point again in the future.

 

[Fireman7777]

Re: Small hole repair

Correct. I put a nice new pressure treated 2x6 (instead of a 2x4) on it with new carpet. Whew! Glad to hear that it's not TOO major.