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97 Challenger Hull Repair

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enut

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Boat Damage 002.jpgBoat Damage 001.jpg
I finally found what has been causing my leak. Before I replaced my trailer bunks, the bracket was coming into contact with the hull and damaged the hull right through the fiberglass.

This damage is on the drivers side of the boat but I can't get to the area from the inside.
Does anyone know if I can repair it from the outside only. Does anyone have any tips on how to proceed with the repair or should I just pay somebody to do it?
 
That's tiny.. :) It's an easy repair if you ever done any type of body work...

This thread give a lot on info, you can also search around, search the web for fiberglass repair, there's tons of how to's and videoes. http://www.pwctoday.com/f15/carnage-resurection-146248-5.html

I'd take a grinding wheel to it and cut out all the damage, and flare out the hole and gel coat a good inch or 2 around the hole. When grind the surrounding gel coat you'll get a better idea how far you need to go, and you need to dry out the interior wood and fiberglass, I used a hair dryer on it continously for few days.

Then head to west marine and get some expoxy and filler(this is like a powder mix additive). Mix the expoxy, use some of it to coat the area completly, then add the filler to the remaining expoxy mix you have and make it pudding consitency or peanut butter, then push it into the hole, you want to get enough expoxy in the hole to make a plug and fill the space between the innner and outter hull to give it some strength. Depending on the hole & expoxy you may have to do several layers, sanding in between to roughen the sufface and build it up higher than the existing gel coat, you can then shape the area with a grind wheel, and repeat till you get it as good as you want, no one is going to see it. Once you're satified you then either paint it white or get some gelcoat white(with wax) and paint it on there(several coats), then sand it smooth....
 
Oh, and you can use some plastic and tape and wood/card board to hold the expoxy in place as a form to help make the curves and make it flat...
 
Gelcoat is only cosmetic. If you are all the way through the fiberglass and are leaking, you need to repair the fiberglass first. Do not use gelcoat for this. After you repair the fiberglass with mat and epoxy, then you can coat it with gelcoat to finish it.
 
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