Hull Repair

[golver1]

Does anyone know what I would use to repair minor damage to a fiberglass hull? I have a 81 Wellcraft V-20 I would like to get in the water some year. I just noticed on the front of the boat, at the very front point, below the water line the hull looks worn. It is an area about 2-3 feet long, but only about a 1/4 inch wide. There is no paint. It almost looks like it was sanded off or rubbed off by driving the boat into sand or something. What I can see almost looks like cloth, I am assuming the fiberglass? Besides looking worn or scratched off, there does not appear to be any other damage. I am willing to bet the previous owner didnt even know it was there.

I am not as concerned with a finished look as I am in ease of application or quality of repair. This is just a fishing boat. ;D ;D

Thank you in advance,
Jason

[Stinky_Hooker]

Bondo or short strand fiberglass. That is what I use for the smaller imperfections that are not structurally important. I wouldnt worry with getting into glassing it just for that. The Bondo is easier to find and a little cheaper, but the shortstrand glass mixes the same, but dries harder.

[golver1]

Is this a brush on type material? How is it applied?

If I could figure out how to post a picture in the thread, I could post what I have.

[Stinky_Hooker]

No you apply it with a putty knife or plastic applicator. It is boddy filler like u use to do auto body work. Get it?

U know the crap every dummy has on his old hooptie car with primer gray paint. ;D

[golver1]

Here is a shot of the boat with the area affected outlined in red. I am wondering if bondo/filler will work there since there are no holes for it to attach too? It is a smooth service and the worn part is right at the peak where the starboard and port sides meet.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/golver1/87_1zoom.jpg

[chesapeake724]

I would read Alan Vaitses book on Fiberglass boat repair. It's not the big of a book, but it'll give you a strong foundation for doing your own repairs. Surface prep is just as, if not more, important than making the actual repair. I would patch it "ugly" (meaning that it doesn't have to be perfectly smooth) and install a keelguard/keelshield.
http://www.keelshield.com
This would aesthetically finish the repair and you would protect the keel from further damage. My boat's keel has been patched up by a previous owner and this is the way I'm going.

FWIW...YMMV

[phatdaddy]

I had the same problem. Mine was from a cross member on the trailer hitting as the boat was unloading. I ground off gelcoat 1" on either side and glassed a strip on the keel. Then I built up with Filler. The hard part was getting the right shape upside down. I used clear shipping tape as a mold. Gobb it on like peanut butter, Then put the tape over and smooth with your hand. Let it harden, Then sand a little.

[Stinky_Hooker]

Yeah I didnt think of a keelgaurd..that a good idea.

Oh and you have to rough up the surface for the filler to stick.

[golver1]

I think that is exactly what I am going to do. That is exactly the area. Since the fiberglass is fine and not really roughed up, I am going to brush on some epoxy first to seal it. Once that dries, on with the KeelShield.

Sound good?

[macojoe]

take some of the fiberglass with the strans in it. put on with puty knife, sand to shape then cover with gel coat or keel gaurd and you will be fine!!

But do something!! cause water will go in the fiberglass if not covered with gel coat or something!

Don't just cover with keel gaurd!! You have to gelcoat or at least some resin to seal up the cloth

[Vic]

Yeah I like that peanut butter and tape idea. Then shape it after its hard. That boys got a head on him like a water mocasin. Slick I say.