[88BaylinerCapri]

I recently bought this boat. Put it in the water and removed the engine cover to check for leaks and it looked watertight. Unloaded and took a trip up river and came back and loaded. Checked the engine compartment again and it was full of water! Upon inspection, I found this damaged spot. How do you recommend fixing it? It is about 8-10 inches long, and about 2 inches wide. About 2 foot from the back of the boat. It is down to naked fiberglass on the outside, in the inside it just looks busted. Looks like it hit a stump or rock pretty hard. Marine Tex, or fiberglass? Any advice would be appreciated! Can't believe I didn't see it before I bought it. I feel like a dummy!! Help please!!!!

 

[JWM]

The best way to fix the broken fiberglass is with fiberglass. Grind the damage area about 4" past the repair area needed. Install a hard surface on the bottom area in need of repair. You will need to secure it to the bottom. You might need to screw it to the bottom of the hull. You can place a piece of wax paper of the wood where it comes in contact to the bottom. This will let you to put pressure on the new fiberglass you install and not stick to the wood. Depending on how big the repair area is will determine if you need to install the new fiberglass in layers. If needed let the fiberglass kick and than add another layer until you have the thickness you desire. Remember to grind the new fiberglass if you need to add more fiberglass. Remove the wood and repair the outside of the hull. I would still use fiberglass on the out side. You can use a filler for a finish coat before you gel-coat or paint the repaired area.

I recently bought this boat. Put it in the water and removed the engine cover to check for leaks and it looked watertight. Unloaded and took a trip up river and came back and loaded. Checked the engine compartment again and it was full of water! Upon inspection, I found this damaged spot. How do you recommend fixing it? It is about 8-10 inches long, and about 2 inches wide. About 2 foot from the back of the boat. It is down to naked fiberglass on the outside, in the inside it just looks busted. Looks like it hit a stump or rock pretty hard. Marine Tex, or fiberglass? Any advice would be appreciated! Can't believe I didn't see it before I bought it. I feel like a dummy!! Help please!!!!