repairing a bad repair

[nonone]

New to group and need some help. I have 1n 1987 F20 that was new to me last
year. While inspecting the transom mounted transducer, I noticed water dripping from a small crack in the bottom. After scraping away paint there appears to bad repair on the starboard inboard lifting strake. My guess is its a
Marine Tex or Bondo like repair. After scraping further, the the glass beneath
the gelcoat is exposed for about eight inches. The flaw is about a half inch wide
and runs from about three inches from transom about 8 inches forward. I guess the sub zero winter wasn't kind to the fix. Unfortunately, the
glass is is quite wet and still dripping after two weeks. Spoke to a few local fiberglass repair people who advised to grind it and let it dry and then reglass "Easy Repair"
My fear is that this strake may be located near or under stringer. Sounds like t wood may beneath the glass. If I grind it I may open a large can of worms and be into a major repair which i don't really don't want to do. Any and all advise greatly appreciated.

[step up here]

Start first so you get a good eye ball on the problem . Their will be many folks on this site to guide you along!

[phatdaddy]

welcome to the site. is there water in the bilge? if so, then the crack may go through the hull. no matter what, your going to need to grind to find out how deep it goes.
pictures would help a lot

[nonone]

Will try to post a picture tomorrow . Boat on blocks with bow high. No water
in bilge as far as I can tell. Space next stringer under battery hatch not visible.
Not taking on water last summer. I don't think there is no through crack but not sure. Roving appears solid. Could there be wood in the strake? Water coming out is a bit brown/yellow. I know I have to grind it, but once I do there is no turning back. That is my problem. Would like to have some idea of what Im in for before starting

[bradford]

Sometimes the drain holes in the rear of the stringer will become clogged or partially clogged and allow water to stay in the hull out board of the stringers. I'd open all the hatches and maybe put a fan in one to blow some air through to help dry things out. Also, just thinking, is the fuel tank fill and vent hoses securely attached? Does sound like an easy job if that's all it is.

[tartuffe]

There isn't any wood in the strakes. You do have foam in that area of the hull. My guess is you probably have a few rod holders in your gunwale above that area as well. Probably been collecting in there over time. I agree with the fan idea along with a cover and dehumidifier.

As far as the repair goes I would recommend taking that to a glass guy. It's not difficult to fix but it will be very difficult to do it right and not look like it was once a cataclysmic failure.

I also wouldn't do any grinding on it to see what is going on either. If you go in to the price negotiations with a boat that still floats versus one with a big hole in it, he may think he has the upper hand.