How do I fix this hole?

[Kai76]

Hi. I just got this boat home and found this pea sized hole below a lifeline stanchion. There are a couple chips behind it as well. How should I approach this repair? I've seen videos of extensive grinding, sanding and then gelcoating. Is there something simpler I can do for such a small hole? It doesn't go right through and and the cosmetics are not too important. This is an old boat, but a good boat. I just don't want moisture getting in there and causing problems. The stanchion seems solid as does the fiber glass around it. Can I perhaps just fill it with resin?

[Wotname]

Without seeing a picture of the hole and going on your description, I'd just fill the hole with some thickened resin.

[jimbunyard]

Marinetex?

[Kai76]

Hmm. I thought I did post a pic. I must have made an error. Ler me try again!

[thinwater]

Originally Posted by Kai76

Hmm. I thought I did post a pic. I must have made an error. Ler me try again!

That looks like a bubble in the mold between the gel coat and the first layer of glass that was popped by a light bump. Quite common and not a big deal. Just fill it with Marine Tex or something equivalent.


The chips to the left are probably the same. Open them with a pick and fill them. No big deal.

[Kai76]

Great! Thank you! I will do that! Cheers.

[sparrowhawk1]

Marine Tex is quick easy and strong but most expensive. Personally I would buy a small container of gelcoat (which is polyester resin with pigment), mix it with some microfibers and the hardener of course. a little extra money you can buy kits that have different colors so you can color match it by adding a few drops of this a few drops of that. The reason I chose microfibers even though it's harder to sand is it tends not to sag. Also you will have the leftovers for almost any fill job. Covering wet patch with Saran Wrap will help you smooth it and minimize sanding.

[unbusted67]

Originally Posted by sparrowhawk1

Marine Tex is quick easy and strong but most expensive. Personally I would buy a small container of gelcoat (which is polyester resin with pigment), mix it with some microfibers and the hardener of course. a little extra money you can buy kits that have different colors so you can color match it by adding a few drops of this a few drops of that. The reason I chose microfibers even though it's harder to sand is it tends not to sag. Also you will have the leftovers for almost any fill job. Covering wet patch with Saran Wrap will help you smooth it and minimize sanding.

Man if you are worried about the cost of marine-tex you picked to wrong hobby. It's a dime sized hole. I'm sure he will rebound from the financial struggle.

[sparrowhawk1]

Originally Posted by unbusted67

Man if you are worried about the cost of marine-tex you picked to wrong hobby. It's a dime sized hole. I'm sure he will rebound from the financial struggle.

If you think this is the only repair he's going to have to make you don't understand this Hobby. And 2 oz for $15 is pricey period.

[Cadence]

You may want to ream it a little to insure it has clean edges for whatever you use to bond to.

[Seighlor]

When you dig out the chips you may find you have one continuous void that extends over several inches. Still not a big deal. My choice for the repair would be Marine-tex.

[Franziska]

I'd rough up what's accessible inside the hole and use a syringe to pump it with epoxy and a mix of cotton fibers and microbaloons. Epoxy sticks better than Polyester.
Than some tape over the hole. Once it's cured sand slightly and paint.
Alternativly as stated use gel coat with very short fibers mixed in.