What is the best way to repair this? PICS

[wyoben]

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<br /><br />Getting ready to paint Hull, going to paint it with Imron. This spot is the worst damage to the hull, I bought some of this off of ebay<br /><br /> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2590686332 <br /><br />I also have some bondo and polyester resin. I can buy what ever I need, but these are the supplies I have on hand.<br /><br />Also I figured I would Prime and Paint, then paint it with an antifouling Clear coat. Which one is the best? This is a trailerable boat and fouling in out area is not much of a problem.<br /><br />Thanks<br />Ben

 

[snapperbait]

Re: What is the best way to repair this? PICS

I would grind that area back to clean raw fiberglass at least two inches all the way around the spot and use ounce and a half fiberglass mat and epoxy to build the area back up... Then sand it back to shape...<br /><br /> You won't need mat that's specificaly for epoxy, just tear the mat into small pieces, that way any binder in the mat probably won't even be noticeable... Then use your epoxy filler to fill in the pin holes or to slightly fair the area out, just don't use too much.. If you do it that way, the area will never give you any trouble again...<br /><br />Some will say bondo or use the stuff you got on e-bay.. Problem is, first time you put the boat on the trailer and that part of the keel runs over a roller with any weight on it, if patched with bondo, kitty hair, or even some thickened epoxy, it will likely break up and/or pop right off... <br /><br />ps. What hull is that?

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: What is the best way to repair this? PICS

I agree with Snapperbait...just fixed about 4 holes like that in my 40year old Boston Whaler 13'.<br /><br />Grind the area down to the fiberglass about 2 inches away from the hole. (you'll probably find more damage i.e. cracks that go past the hole). <br /><br />I fixed mine according to Boston Whaler.....feathered the fiberglass down from the outside of the entire repair to the hole. Mixed up the resin and fiberglass strands, filled the hole, used a popsicle stick to get the stuff to stick to the backside of the hull and then leveled off. Came back over it with the resin and 6oz cloth. Feathered the edges (sanding). Then I used the kittyhair to fill in the low spots, then used the fairing compound (similar to Bondo) to make smooth. You can't tell there was ever a hole. (actually, my hole was about 3" wide by 18" long)<br /><br />Don't use automotive Bondo as it absorbs water (made with gypsum). West Marine has a great faring compound that works/looks/smells like bondo, but is water resistant. kinda pricy at $18/qt. or you could use this from iBoats link <br /><br />After your repair, take a smooth papertowel, place it on the hull, put your hand on it (completely flat) and run it over the repair area. If you feel any low spots or high spots, fix accordingly. The papertowel helps identify these spots. Old veteran car repair guys don't need the papertowel, but it helps the novice.<br /><br />This is from my experience doing bodywork for several years. If you can feel it, you'll definitely see it.<br /><br />Good luck and hope this helps.

 

[gbf03]

Re: What is the best way to repair this? PICS

Wyoben,<br />What method did you use when you flipped your boat over?

 

[wyoben]

Re: What is the best way to repair this? PICS

I'm not sure what kind of boat it is, it is very heavy. The guy I bought it from said it was an IMP, the Manufactures plate says ALL SEASON can't find another one like it online. I tillted the trailer with a floor jack as much as it would go, slid it to the ground on top of some foam camp beds I had. Slowly drove the trailer out from under it. Then I got about 4 other people to roll it over on it side then all the way. I flexed the hull a little more then I liked but didn't seem to hurt it, no cracks in the gell coat or anything. I hope I can flip it back over with new paint with out and damage.<br /><br />Ben

 

[ahein]

Re: What is the best way to repair this? PICS

Wyoben,<br />FYI. All Seasons Industries manufactured your Imperial boat. They were located in the mid-west (Illinois) and went out of business in the early nineties. I have a 1987 Imperial 23' WACC, and finding any information about them is next to impossible. Not too many people have heard about Imperials outside of the mid-west. If your go on Boat Trader Online you may find some for sale.<br />Just thought you might like to know a little about you new project boat. Follow the advice of the other guys for your repairs.