Need a quick fix for a small crack in fiberglass

[Daveinet]

Got a hole/crack in the bottom of my boat. Need to temporarily seal it and wondering what the best method is going to be for a quick fix. It is right at the front of the centerboard trunk, where the bottom of the boat meets the start of the centerboard trunk. The biggest problem is that it continues to seep water. There is filler wood on the top side between the bottom of the boat and the inner floor. The wood is not structural, just filler. The biggest problem is that fact that it continues to seep water, and has done so for the whole off season. While that needs to be addressed long term, the short term problem is what does one seal it with, since it is still wet? I also don’t know but what that area might flex, so not sure if a hard glue is the best choice.



So any ideas would be helpful. I’m leaving Sunday for a week long sailing trip. If I kept the boat on the trailer, I’d probably just ignore it, but the fact that the boat will be stored in the water all week, causes me to be a little more concerned. I don’t think the boat will sink, but I don’t want an artificial “water ballast” either.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

you don't want to pull the boat out of the water to do this fix?

personally, I would pull the boat and let it dry, then use thickened epoxy or thickened fiberglass.

-but jb weld marine will cure underwater. not sure it will bond as well, but might slow your leak.
http://www.jbweld.com/products/marineweld-twin-tube


what does a repair shop recommend? (might get a pro to take a look, offer advise)

 

[Charlie Jones s/v Tehani]

There are two part underwater epoxies available.

I repaired a leak on a friends boat by diving on it, plus one on my own after a hard grounding. Won't last forever but will set up underwater and stop the leaking

DON'T mix with dry hands!!

 

[Benny17441]

Had a similar situation with an old San Juan. Took it out of the water and let the joint dry some and then poured epoxy and let it seep in the cracks and set. It reduced the amount of water coming in considerably. The old girl just leaked when underway but never at anchor. Kept a portable electric bilge pump handy to get the water out every couple of hours.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I'm assuming that you have had it out of the water on your trailer during the off season. You say it is still weeping water?!?! The wood must really be saturated. I think you could use Marine Tex but I'm not sure how easy it will be to remove if all you want is a temporary repair.

 

[Daveinet]

Yes, the boat has been out all winter and is still seeping water!! Not fast enough to drip, but the surface stays wet. Once I get back from my trip, I plan to drill it out and run the vacuum cleaner over the hole for a long time and see if I can get it to dry out. While I don't care if I trap water inside for the short term, I'd rather not trap it in there permanently.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

Heat! I would put a low watt light bulb near the area. or ceramic heater on a timer.
heat will dry anything out, if you can keep the moisture from returning.

I use to keep a epoxy stick on board, for this type of damage. but I wouldn't trust it to stick forever.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/16203666?...6515888&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=131278052928&veh=sem


how about some pictures?

 

[kerryedwards]

Five minute epoxy and some fiberglass cloth. You can grind it off later for a permanent fix.

 

[agprice22]

Make sure the boat is in a covered, dry place. To weep an entire offseason... I think water must have been getting in the boat. I would cut out the wood and repair it. How big is this boat? Do you trailer sail it or keep it in the water?
Remove it, cut out the bad wood, groove the cracks in the bottom and fair and seal them, replace the wood, and reseal the opening.

 

[Daveinet]

Yes, it is very hard to believe it has been weeping that long, but I can find no other source for the water. The interior of the boat is completely dry, and the boat has been under a tarp until I pulled it around from the back yard last week. I just got under the boat and did some sanding. Also took some pictures. Once I started sanding, the leaking became a little faster.

Bought some Marine Tex. Dried the surface and put a layer on. It seemed to hold pretty well until I started to even it out, and then you could tell it wanted to lift off the surface as the water started to seep. I was able to dab it back down, and it seemed to seal. There were a few bubbles that came to the surface of the Marine Tex. I'll have to see what it looks like in the morning.

 

[Bob S]

Progressive Epoxy sells a two part system used for underwater repair.

 

[Hydro Therapy]

If u use epoxy you can push it in with wax paper. Then tape the wax paper in place. Once dry the wax paper will peel off. I would think that would also work with marine tex but haven't tried it.

 

[Daveinet]

Thanks, may have to use that wax paper idea. First layer sealed most of it, but still had two pin holes. I just put a second layer on. If that doesn't work, then I'll try the wax paper and tape, which seems like it would work well.

So tempted to drill it out and let it drain. If I had another day or two, I would, but don't want to take the chance of making it worse.

I noticed last year the boat did not seem as light on its feet as it did the first year I had it. Apparently I have some unintended water ballast.