Boy do I feel stupid- Gel coat repair advice please

[True North]

well, I was finishing up my "fake" wood flooring updrade, and trimming out the cabin and stairs and I inadvertently predrilled a hull through me hull, not once, but twice, in the same location on opposite sides of the bow. Apparently in the very tip of the bow, the front corners of the floor come right up to the hull, and even though I was using a small bit and not pushing very far past the trim, it was apparently enough to punch a small hole on each side (port and starboard). I'm just glad I caught it BEFORE I put it in the water.

So, how does one repair two small holes puched through the hull and gel coat (cracked/flaked) an area less than a dime? I know I could probably get away with just silicone caulk, but 1) I want it to last- not a big fan of holes in a boat hull, 2) want it to look good.

Even though it is underneath the waterline, you can still see it if you are looking for imperfections on the hull (no bottom paint) when on the trailer.

Thanks.

 

[saopm]

Watch the video below. This guy has a pretty good YouTube channel on fiberglass work.

[video=youtube_share;Zka0i0SOGd8]http://youtu.be/Zka0i0SOGd8[/video]

 

[True North]

Thanks. Haven't had the time to view the video yet. I guess my question is do I need to get that involved with the repair, or will those "gel coat repair kits" suffice? Are those just for cosmetic deficiencies vs. actual through-hull holes? Remember, my "hole" is only a 1/8" drill bit hole, but it did chip an area a little larger when it punched through. Will the repair kit be sufficient to keep water and any further damage at bay, or do I need to do a more complete repair as outlined in the video? Thanks.

 

[GrandMaster]

I believe gel-coat repairs are intended for nicks & scratches, not holes in the fiberglass hull

 

[gerryb]

True, you need more than gelcoat repair. You'll need some type of water proof epoxy based material to fill-in the hole. There are several options all of which are under $40 - go to your local west marine and they can walk you though them (look for someone over the age of 40 to help you :smt001). Silicone won't work for this, at least not the right way. Several of the products are white, which may allow you to not worry about the gelcoat layer repair unless you are anal about it in which case you'll have to look at spectrum to get a matching gelcoat repair kit. I had a couple of small knicks and just used the white epoxy and smoothed it down. They were still visible but served as a reminder for me to be more careful.

Edit: I used Marinetex

 

[JimG]

Here is how I would fix it... First, order matching gel coat repair paste from Spectrum using your HIN. When that comes in, get some hardwood dowel pieces that will fit the holes and cut to length for the thickness of the hull (you may actually have to drill the holes larger to match the diameter of the dowel). Coat them with resin and drive them in to where they are about 1/8" below the surface of the gel coat. Allow that to setup overnight. Pick away any loose gel coat and clean the area with acetone. Mix a small amount of the gel coat repair paste using Spectrum directions, and apply to the areas. Make sure to use enough to be above the surface of the existing gel coat. Let that setup overnight. Use a coarse sand paper, sand off all rough edges. Then, using a sanding block with 400 grit, wet sand the areas until smooth. Then do the same with 800 grit blending to the surface of the existing gel coat. Don't worry about sanding into the area around the holes... it will all come back in the next step. Then get your high speed buffer out and some compound wax like Buff Magic and bring back the shine. Apply wax and your done.

 

[Lazy Daze]

How pretty do you want it to be? $5 and a twin-tube of PC-11 will give a 100% permanent repair that will be close to your hull color. Epoxy resin would be an excellent choice, too - but you'll need to either paint or re-gel to match the color.

In the end, you have a few options since the hole is so small.

 

[my DOG HOUSE]

How do you feel about underwater lights? You have the holes, are they symmetrical?

 

[Gunn]

I'm assuming your hole is for a screw...like 3/32" or 7/64"? I would use straight up thickened epoxy, or probably better yet Marine-Tex ("Handles like putty, Hardens like steel, Sands like wood", and is white or can be colored). Make sure you get it in to fill the hole entirely, use some wax paper and tape to keep it from dripping out (Marine-Tex is like putty). Then sand it down and be done with it, never to make this mistake again!

 

[bport]

How do you feel about underwater lights? You have the holes, are they symmetrical?

LOVE this optimistic outlook on life. Damn, lemonade from lemons!! :smt043:smt043:smt043

Good luck with the repair, sounds like it is not serious.