HELP

[Jamesiv1]

3 inches from where the swing keel cable goes through the floor I drilled a hole… Is that liner or is that the hull of the boat? It’s a tiny hole but there is water coming through. Did I just make the stupidest rookie mistake ever?

The hole is in the second photo, the screw is pointing right at it.

 

[Leeward Rail]

Yes. You drilled a hole in the Hull. If you put the screw in you should see it sticking out.

The fiberglass isn't thick enough to put most screws in without a wood or fiberglass material added.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

The bigger issue is how you repair the hole. There are both right and wrong ways to do that. Ask if you need to.

 

[Brian D]

You can help us by telling the purpose of the screw, and/or what you want to do. For now, you will need to fill the hole with epoxy resin and glass over the hole. This is a minor error so a good time to learn hull maintenance.

 

[Jamesiv1]

Thank you so much for the replies guys. I was trying to secure my battery… I just got a normal size marine battery, it came with two plastic brackets and a strap, so with four screws I thought I could secure the brackets into the liner and that’s it.

I went to West Marine, and he sold me some 5200 and a screw. So far I have just jammed as much 5200 into it as I could and it seems to have stopped the water. Open to suggestions…

 

[AaronD]

Thank you so much for the replies guys. I was trying to secure my battery… I just got a normal size marine battery, it came with two plastic brackets and a strap, so with four screws I thought I could secure the brackets into the liner and that’s it.

I went to West Marine, and he sold me some 5200 and a screw. So far I have just jammed as much 5200 into it as I could and it seems to have stopped the water. Open to suggestions…

The traditional way to fill a hole in the hull is to grind on the exterior, making a really shallow taper, and then build back up with glass (e.g. How to Patch Hull Holes). That's probably overkill for your tiny hole. You could do all that, but I don't think I would (and I tend toward paranoia).

For this tiny hole, you can probably attack it from the interior. Sand / grind a few inches around the hole to expose bare glass (epoxy won't bond well to the gelcoat or paint). Add 2-4 layers of glass cloth (maybe 6oz... 4oz or 9oz would be fine - whatever you have handy or can find easily). You could add a layer on the exterior too if you want; your call. Fair the exterior of the hull if you like.

And for your original task of securing a battery: My approach goes something like this (I'll try to post with pictures someday):

• Cut tie-down plates from G10 epoxy (I usually use 1/4", but for a battery, I bonded 2 sheets together to make 1/2" tie-downs.
• Tap threads in the G10 for your tie-down points (e.g. footman's loops)
• Bond G10 board to the hull with epoxy - I stick a tiny scrap of masking tape over the bottom side of the threaded hole, so the epoxy squeeze into it.
• Screw your footman's loops on and you're good to go.

 

[Jamesiv1]

So I spoke to a guy who has a lot of Catalina 22 experience, and he doesn’t think I went all the way through the hull. He says I would have gone through a layer of wood if I went all the way through. What do you guys think about that theory? I am about 98% certain that I did not drill through any wood…

 

[Alan Gomes]

So I spoke to a guy who has a lot of Catalina 22 experience, and he doesn’t think I went all the way through the hull. He says I would have gone through a layer of wood if I went all the way through. What do you guys think about that theory? I am about 98% certain that I did not drill through any wood…

Why would there be a layer of wood? Catalina did not core their hulls. And why would you be getting water out the hole otherwise?

 

[Crusty Ol Salt]

Make a temporary repair until you pull the boat. Which it sounds like you are off to a good start. I am not sure 3M 5200 sets in the water, you need to check on that. If not grab some flexseal tape or flexseal glue, they claim it works underwater, remember this temporary.
If that does not work run that screw in there, this got a nice rubber washer on it.

Did I mention that the fixes suggest above are temporary and meant only to get you out of the water.....

Once you get it out of the water follow AaronD's advice on how to complete repairs.

Good luck and keep the bilge pump running.

 

[Jamesiv1]

Why would there be a layer of wood? Catalina did not core their hulls. And why would you be getting water out the hole otherwise?

Hi Alan. Well.... He sounded like he knew what he was talking about LOL He has cut apart 3 C22's for junk and parts so I figured he knew. He said the wood was probably wet and "weeping" and that's where the water was coming from.

Anyhoo.... I think the 5200 is going to work as a temporary fix and I'll get her out of the water and fix it up properly.

 

[Jamesiv1]

Make a temporary repair until you pull the boat. Which it sounds like you are off to a good start. I am not sure 3M 5200 sets in the water, you need to check on that. If not grab some flexseal tape or flexseal glue, they claim it works underwater, remember this temporary.
If that does not work run that screw in there, this got a nice rubber washer on it.

Did I mention that the fixes suggest above are temporary and meant only to get you out of the water.....

Once you get it out of the water follow AaronD's advice on how to complete repairs.

Good luck and keep the bilge pump running.

@Crusty Ol Salt - Hey thanks for your reply. The guy at West Marine seemed confident the 5200 would stick and cure in water... We'll see. I mopped the area dry with a big sponge and kept an eye on it for about 3 hours... The 5200 was setting up nicely and no water [fingers crossed]

 

[Rick Webb]

Your 5200 will be a good temporary repair until you get around to doing the complicated repair in 20 years or so.

 

[Alan Gomes]

Hi Alan. Well.... He sounded like he knew what he was talking about LOL He has cut apart 3 C22's for junk and parts so I figured he knew. He said the wood was probably wet and "weeping" and that's where the water was coming from.

Anyhoo.... I think the 5200 is going to work as a temporary fix and I'll get her out of the water and fix it up properly.

Maybe he is confusing the hull with the deck. The deck would have wood coring but not the hull.

 

[Siamese]

So I spoke to a guy who has a lot of Catalina 22 experience, and he doesn’t think I went all the way through the hull. He says I would have gone through a layer of wood if I went all the way through. What do you guys think about that theory? I am about 98% certain that I did not drill through any wood…

He's knows less than he thinks he does. I'd avoid his advice in the future.

 

[Jamesiv1]

Maybe he is confusing the hull with the deck. The deck would have wood coring but not the hull.

That’s a good point. He said some stuff about the deck… Maybe he was confused

 

[Jamesiv1]

I just went out to check on the repair and it is nice and dry

 

[Gene Neill]

He's knows less than he thinks he does. I'd avoid his advice in the future.

Yeah. Him AND the West Marine guy.

 

[Jamesiv1]

Just got back from checking the boat. Still nice and dry

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Just got back from checking the boat. Still nice and dry

While it might work now, you still have a hole in your boat which hasn't been fixed. Not a comforting feeling miles from shore.

 

[Jamesiv1]

While it might work now, you still have a hole in your boat which hasn't been fixed. Not a comforting feeling miles from shore.

I hear ya Don. I'm going to pull her next week and fix it properly. Along with 2 or 3 other projects (like paint the bottom)

I don't have a truck so taking her out of the water and towing her to my place is kind of a project.

Hoping she stays afloat until then.