Small crack in fiberglass boat

I am a neophyte to fiberglass repair and unsure of the strength. The texturing of the deck is dimpled, for lack of a better term. The best answer is, get the fiberglass fixed so it doesnt flex. If you have a fiberglass roof its especially important to get damage fixed as it happens so you dont end up with moisture under it and inside the ceiling.

Apr 06, 2020 one of the best qualities of a fiberglass boat is how easy it is to repair. This type of repair is necessary if you run aground, run into a rock, or have some of crack caused by age and use. If the damage is this small, you can proceed with a simple repair with epoxy and no additional fiberglass sheeting. The boat has some small crazing of the gelcoat here and there like most any fiberglass boat, and there are a few scratches, but none of that detracts from the overall beauty of the boat. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and although it usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boats structural integrity. It is right at the front of the centerboard trunk, where the bottom of the boat meets the start of the centerboard trunk. Weve put together an easy to follow guide specifically aimed at those new to fibreglass. Push around the damaged area to feel for weakness in the fiberglass. You can repair these cracks and pinholes, but it is a lengthy process that involves multiple steps. Gelcoat available from your boat dealer several paint brushes.

Wipe the crack with a dry rag to make sure its clean and dry. I purchased the boat with the scrape on the bottom. In fact a modern wood epoxy composite boat requires no more maintenance than a fiberglass boat. If you ever need to do a small oneoff project that does not require structural support, think about using cardboard as a cheap and easy alternative to creating a mold or using traditional. Small cracks and holes in the hull of a fiberglass boat are big problems, since they allow water to seep into the boat and damage and destroy it from within. Dan, crack on inside of transom my indicate that it is getting soft and the stress of the motor pushing it has created cracks. My transom look solid but had cracking on top next to the motor, same as you described. When the boat flexes and twists, the fiberglass flexes and twists and so does the gel coat. Normally, most of the parcels would delivery within to days. Repair chips in gelcoat below the waterline boat talk. Small cracks form in the outer surface of the fiberglass, spreading out from a central point like a spiderweb. A simple sanding with an orbital sander will be enough for this. The fiberglass and resin are so strong that it turns the cardboard into a hard shell that you can use to make many different things, including small boats. I have not had the boat for a while, i got it through a trade.

Fiberglass boat for sale in uk 31 used fiberglass boats. Clean off cracked portions working with a fiberglass, or even a wooden hull, you will need to start by cleaning out the crack and affected area. This will make it possible to fill the crack with epoxy resin. One of the things that the basic boat owner should have some knowledge about is boat hull repair. Check out our new website its pretty flippin awesome. Previous episodes go over other types of fiberglass. Since these cracks often form from small impacts or minor flexing, they can appear just about anywhere on your boat. Feb 16, 2017 i purchased the boat with the scrape on the bottom.

The resin is cracked and you can feel the fiberglass rough edges. Mar 02, 2009 repairing stress cracks in a nonskid textured deck ive got a 79 f36 trojan. Hence you get these little hairline cracks in the gel coat surface itself. Jun 17, 2016 got a hole crack in the bottom of my boat. I am mostly concerned with sealing the cracks and potentially adding a rigid floor support like a 2x4 or something of that nature. You are going to bevel the edge of the hole with a 12to1 chamfer, so if you repair a 3inch diameter hole. The most horrifying hole in a fiberglass hull is quickly healed with a bit of glass fabric, a supply of resin, and equal parts skill and care. These fiberglass cracks can be purely cosmetic, or can severely degrade the boats ability to stay afloat. Aug 15, 2018 unless your boat lives her life dockside cuddled up to a couple of fenders, shes going to get a few scrapes and bruises. Need a quick fix for a small crack in fiberglass sailboat. Easy ways to repair cracked fiberglass with pictures wikihow.

In most cases this is true, however it is important to seal them correctly otherwise water may penetrate into the fiberglass and cause more serious damage. How to fix crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks. Bondo allpurpose fiberglass resin is designed specifically to be used for automotive, boat and home repairs. It doesnt have to be a through crack but it will become one. Shaving fiberglass, new approach to stress cracks and mail call. The cost of a fiberglass repair on your boat will greatly depend on the level of damage, the materials being used with the repair, where you live and the professional you choose. Jun 25, 2018 step 2 then toughen the laminate that contains the crack or cracks by solidifying it, either by thickening with more fiberglass, replacing coring materials, or adding structure. Learn how to remove gelcoat by following a few simple steps. Congrats, your fiberglass boat hull repair is done and its time to get back on the water. First, examine the hole and look for cracks and chips extending out from the hole. There is normal wear and tear and some rust on the leaf springs of the trailer, but overall it really looks like a year or two old boat and trailer package. How to repair a fibreglass crack for beginners youtube.

These hairline fractures also occur in boats of the mid 1970s vintage which often had thicker gelcoat layers than newer boats. Step 2 then toughen the laminate that contains the crack or cracks by solidifying it. Chances are if you have purchased a recreational boat it is either made of fiberglass or plastic. Includes everything that is needed for the diyer fiberglass resin, liquid hardener, plastic spreader, fiberglass cloth, mixing stick and mixing tray. The chip is probably about half inch all around, and looks like it went all the wa. How to fix spider cracks in fiberglass it still runs.

Then applying 3 or 4 layers of fiberglass to repair. However, the repairability of fiberglass is one of its best characteristics. Small cracks forming, especially at the surface of the fiberglass cracks spreading out from the center, much as you would see in a spider web once youre sure youre dealing with these types of cracks in the outer gel coat of the fiberglass, your fix can be limited to the fiberglass exterior. In most cases this is true, however it is important to seal them correctly otherwise water may penetrate into the fiberglass. Fix demonstration how to repair stress cracks in fiberglass boats. Use the resinbased putty to fill in the depression or hole, working the putty into the depths of the damaged area carefully with the smallblade putty knife. If you dont do this, new cracks will most likely appear, probably not too long after youve just finished fixing the old ones. Here is a general guide to the fiberglass boat terminology used in this manual figure. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and although it usually starts off as a matter of cosmetics, in severe cases these surface cracks can grow, deepen, and eventually threaten your boat s structural integrity.

If not managed, these small cosmetic annoyances can. This damage is often caused by slight flexing of the hull. Do they surround an area that feels just a little spongy, as already noted. A small spot of damage on the surface can actually be larger underneath. Repairing a fibreglass crack doesnt have to be daunting. Easy ways to repair cracked fiberglass with pictures. Im very tempted to sand it a tiny bit and try to just put some resin over to seal it.

How to repair deep cracks in fiberglass boats youtube. While fiberglass boat repairs are a bit more complicated than those youd find on wooden boats, most small dings, scratches, and even small holes are, indeed, repairable. Hairline cracks, stress cracks or spider cracks star cracks that occur in gelcoat surfaces on fiberglass boats or other water craft are often seen as a cosmetic issue. Gelcoat oxidation can sometimes be repaired, but if the damage is extensive the gelcoat must be removed. Below is a detailed guideline on how to repair the transom on your boat. While a damaged wood boat requires expensive and intricate work, a fiberglass one can usually be repaired with just a few materials, even by people with only basic knowledge and skills. Any crack that goes deeper than the gelcoat definitely needs attention. Hairline spider cracks must be opened wider and filled with an epoxy filler to be permanently repaired. A hole in a fiberglass hull is healed with a bit of glass fabric and resin. Wait for the plastic filler to cure before applying another coat.

The reference material i found on the boat says that it has a weight of about 550 lbs overall. They can occur in any form of fiberglass, including cars, boats and swimming pools. These scars of a life welllived are unsightly, but usually are just cosmetic. The good new is that you can fix minor damage without having to redo the entire boat from stem to. How to repair a fiberglass boat hull from the outside.

Other times, maybe a small hairline crack formed in the fiberglass, but this is more rare. If the damage area is small and above the waterline, make the repair from inside the hull, if possible. Next, take a small grinder and smoothen the edges of the hole, as well as the exposed fiberglass. How to repair deep cracks in fiberglass boats with the new west system fiberglass boat repair kit. Hull repair is fairly easy for someone who owns a small fiberglass boat of their own. After youve ground the area, you should now be down to the solid laminate. Step 1 figure out what caused the cracks to begin with. And while an aircraft isnt subjected to the same type of forces as a boat hull, the fuselage is the hull and must be strong in different ways. All about fiberglass boat stress cracks fiberglass boat. Chips and dents in the shiny hull of your fiberglass boat will happen. Spider cracks are nonstructural damage to the gelcoat of a boat.

In this article, we will look at how long fiberglass boats last and the factors that impact the durability of fiberglass boats. If its not clean and dry the epoxy wont adhere well. I siliconed over the small crack and sealed it up real nice. I found a hairline crack in the gelcoat on the lower port side of my transom. Fill the crack with a fair amount of fiberglass epoxy resin, using a plastic applicator. To help you get started, weve got the ultimate guide to repairing a fiberglass boat hull from the outside, complete with tips and tricks to help get your boat back on the. Since the fiberglass has already thinned or cracked, you may sand all the way through the fiberglass in spots. This will allow the epoxy to get into the crack and adhere to it. The way youll do this is youll mix up a small amount of resin that you can successfully paint on over the fiberglass within about 15 to 20 minutes. The boat is in pretty good condition for its age in my opinion, but the hull does have some minor hairline stress cracks. This show covers how to repair fiberglass stress cracks on your boat using polyester resin. Mix a small amount of gelcoat in your mixing container according to manufacturers directions. Repairing stress cracks in a nonskid textured deck ive got a 79 f36 trojan.

Jul 18, 2010 small cracks and holes in the hull of a fiberglass boat are big problems, since they allow water to seep into the boat and damage and destroy it from within. Feb 17, 2020 this includes damage like punctures or screw holes. Depending on the service provider, fiberglass boat repair services should include the material costs and labor charges. Crazing in gelcoat, also known as spider cracks or stress cracks, plagues countless boaters. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat. Repairing minor damage to the gelcoat surface of your boat west.

Anything that is put on as a sealant will also start to crack as the boat flexes. However, materials, and manufacturing methods vary from small boat to large boat, from power to sail and from manufacturer to manufacturer. The gelcoat seals the fiberglass and can be left alone or painted over. Magicezy hairline fix demonstration how to repair stress. This can range from small defects that need a little patching up to major damage that affects the overall shape of the surface. Debris in the water and loading and unloading from trailers can contribute to the collection of dings and dents that mar your boat s finish. The fiberglass can take a lot of that flexing and twisting, but the gel coat is so brittle it sort of wants to just, well, snap. It would depend as well on how long the crack was there and how much water got in. In any event, you could sand the cracks and apply an epoxy like marinetex.

The stress cracks are not much larger then the thickness of a hair. And almost every fiberglass boat, even the most mollycoddled, eventually suffers the heartbreak of spiderweb andor stress cracks. Repairing stress cracks in a nonskid textured surface boat. Once a stress crack begins, it can travel for great lengths.

If you are just fixing gel coat, this is overkill and i wouldnt. The easiest repair method is to sand the surface heavily and roll on two coats of epoxy primer followed by two coats of twopart linear. Cracks in my wooden boat good pics yeah there isnt any fiberglass on the boat. While fiberglass boat repair may sound scary and expensive, small and moderate gouges in your hull dont have to be a nightmare. Previous episodes go over other types of fiberglass repair using west system epoxy. Repairing stress cracks in a nonskid textured surface. Repairing the transom of the boat is a minor boat repair since the transom is the flat area located at the back of the boat. With a little bit of knowhow and a few basic tools, you can tackle this task on your own. Anyone who has ever seen airframe construction, particularly jet aircraft, understands why aircraft can be built with skins that are extremely thin. So, i was doing some maintenance on the my boat 18ft 1979 thunderbird trihull w mercury 115hp inline 6 motor and i noticed that there are two bolts coming through the boat on the inside of the transom, they look to be some bolts for the engine mount.

This is about how much time youll have before the resin begins to dry and harden. Online article on hull design defects by david pascoe, marine surveyor, namscms. Add color tint solutions in the proportions and shades suggested by the. Find a professional to paint your boat with an antifouling finish and be sure to clean the bottom of the boat regularly to mitigate costly repairs resulting from fouling. How to fix a hole on a fiberglass boat complete diy guide. Few things are more disheartening to the boatowner than staring at the fuzzy edge of broken fiberglass. One side of the hatch had cracked all the way thru. Oct 07, 2019 when doing fiberglass boat repairs, youll most likely be painting or rolling it on in small batches. How to repair soft spots in fiberglass on a boat gone.

Tthe crack is probably 10 inches long and does not follow a straight path. If left unattended, a small blister can quickly crack and tear away the boats top fiberglass surface. All about fiberglass boat stress cracks fiberglass boat repair. If the surface of your boat looks like a cracked eggshell, the gelcoat is suffering from crazing sometimes called alligatoring. Over time, the gelcoat can fade, oxidize and become pitted and dented. Repairing hairline cracks and how to do repair gelcoat magicezy. Noticed while the boat was on the lift that there is a chip in the hull at the very bottom of the v, just below the forward seating area on our 260 ssi. The next time youre cleaning and waxing your boat, take the time to look for small cracks, scratches and. If your fiberglass boat only has superficial damage, such as scratches and cracks, sand the area and remove the wax with a solvent before applying a storebought plastic filler such as gelcote. There are recessed spots over the entire nonskid surface. How to repair spider cracks in fiberglass boatlife. It can be difficult to diagnose spider cracks, especially when youre not aware of them. Apr 26, 2018 repairing a fibreglass crack doesnt have to be daunting. Learn how to treat wearinduced spider cracks that appear along the hull of your dinghy.

Cracked couple layers of fiberglass, not quite through into the boat. Back on sale after major delays due to weather cant get it out of water safety in the winds here we have my seahog hunter. Working with a fiberglass, or even a wooden hull, you will need to start by cleaning out the crack and affected area. Stress cracks in fiberglass bass boats, canoes, kayaks and. When that happens, the gelcoat cant flex with the fiberglass, it just cracks. Next, take a saw and cut out the damaged area that youve circled with the.

Step 4 as soon as the crack has been channeled out, wipe it clean. I patched the bad crack, where the port hinge attaches, and that was quickly more secure than the other side. Sometimes a short one or two inch stress crack can travel the length of the boat over time. How to repair fiberglass on a boat the family handyman. Fiberglass is currently the most common material used to craft small recreational boats and other watercraft. Crazing is an incredibly common issue on modern fiberglass boats, and. I used small patches of fiberglass sheets near the bad cracks. It can hardly be felt with the finger, but a finger nail will catch it. Small crack on inside of transom looks like fiberglass.

Will that work or do i need to sand more and do a fiberglass patch. Repairing the transom is not that difficult if you have the right tools and equipment. Also, older fiberglass boats tend to have a thicker application of gelcoat which means they are more susceptible to cracking. How to repair spider cracks on your fiberglass boat. I was just wondering if the fiberglass on the outside of the boat, if that had a crack in it how i described, would it be something i should worry about, since its on the transom. Spider cracks are a form of fiberglass damage that occurs from minor flexing or impacts. Since the majority of the exterior is usually made up of fiberglass, knowing how to fix those cracks can come in handy.