Fiberglass boat repair

[Dedge]

Anyone done any fiberglass boat patching? I have been working on a 1986 Crestliner and it has a small crack (about 5 inches) where the roller on the trailer sits. Or... actually it would be where the boat sits on the roller.

Any reccomendations as to what to do on this one. Can I fix this problem myself or does it need professional help.

Thanks,
Dan

[Dv8oR]

I take it you mean the gelcoat is cracked and you can see fiberglass?

Is it a crack or a gouge?

Crack-you can see the crack and not the glass-

Gouge-you can see glass-

I've been doing some Gel-Coat work on the keel, which had been worn down from beaching at the Hardy. I think actually once I get it built back up I will probably get a Keel-Shield/Guard whatever....not that I beach it there but what the hell!

Not a big deal to do, just time consuming, I'm not real "color exact" specific but I hardly doubt someones going to walk up and say-You didn't get it exactly perfect! If they do, they don't have to ride in my boat! Its so damn close only a pro would no. I actually make it off color at first and as I'm building it up get it closer and closer. Helps me with sanding and feathering.

Grab you a gel-coat kit and get to it. Diynet.com has some great info on Gel-coat work, and I'm sure if you search the net you can find more.

You certainly don't want the Glass showing/open best way to rot your boat!

[ScottC]

Anyone done any fiberglass boat patching? I have been working on a 1986 Crestliner and it has a small crack (about 5 inches) where the roller on the trailer sits. Or... actually it would be where the boat sits on the roller.

Any reccomendations as to what to do on this one. Can I fix this problem myself or does it need professional help.

Thanks,
Dan
A pic or a better description of the "crack" (as asked above), would be a big help. It should be 'doable' by you depending on your confidence and skill level.

If you are near a West Marine, they have a good book by the Gougeon Brothers at West Systems. It is a small manual for fiberglass repair. It is even 3 hole punched for a binder. It costs around $3 or $4 bucks and is worth every penny. I have all their small manuals. They were recommended to me when I went to work at a boatyard in New England.

Here is the link to the manual:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=28521

[Dedge]

Here's the pic:

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/533/medium/Crack.jpg

[Burksee]

Ouch! Can you see/get to the crack/gouge from the inside of the boat? If you can get to it from the inside I'd first glass in a brace, A piece of wood (1x4 or simular) thats a little longer than the crack/gouge then fill in the crack from the outside. Then see if you can adjust the roller so its not riding on the patch. Someone else may have better idea?

[wild bill]

i would hit it from the inside with a sander first and lay down a couple layers of fiberglass cloth and resin. then clean up the outside with a sander and fill it.

[ScottC]

The first problem I see is white glass fibers showing. This means that water has permeated the glass. Grinding out the area on the outside will show how far the water has seeped in. The look of 'good' glass is an opaque. Anything 'white' means water infiltration.

Once the area is ground out on the outside, I would then check it out from the inside. For safety, I would lay up a couple layers of cloth (maybe matte or a combo of both), extending at least a few inches more than the 'light' area you can see.

Depending on the area ground out on the outside, I would suggest a low density filler. I use West Systems for my fiberglass work because of the ease of mixing the epoxy, etc... Their Low Density filler is number 407. This is a strong filler mixed with their resin to the consistance of peanut butter. It is a bear to sand but is strong. Use the West System filler #410, a fairing filler, as a final coat prior to painting.

Not sure of your experience level, but there is more I could write, but don't want to put everyone to sleep.:lol: PM me, if you like. The boat should come off the trailer for this, if possible. Can you put it on stands?