Fiberglass Hatch Repair

[thewaxmania]

I'm about to start repairing the small hatch in the floor of my I/O V-20. Its a hinged hatch that I use to keep life-vests in or other here's and there's. Its soft to step on and when I pulled it off, I realized that the glass had failed around a 3/4" section of plywood attached to a pressure treated 2x4 section. I thought this was a DIY repair, but I've seen this on two other V20s too, so I guess its factory. Its an odd design and makes the hatch VERY heavy. I wondered if anyone had an opinion on whether I could eliminate the majority of the wood and do an all glass repair. Essentially strip it down and re-laminate with chopped strand and cloth mat. In lieu of that, perhaps just using a plywood backing without the 2x4 spine?

Thanks. I'll try to post a photo when I get home from work.

[13Echo70271]

the 2x4 is not necessary, is not factory
plenty of work posts here on this repair. I had the same thing. it is probably heavy because of water soaked up,
but it ill still be heavy after repair.

check my album. http://wellcraftv20.com/community/album.php?albumid=161 it isn't the best, there many better"how to"posts.

I haven't found a problem yet with my v that couldn't be helped/resolved by a post made here by some good samaritan willing to share their knowledge and time. look at several before starting your project.

[bradford]

Mine had a board glassed to the bottom too, was not a 2x4 or treated though. Not needed if the repair is done at least mostly correct. Ferm did a write up once on doing this repair, maybe someone can find it.