I know this has been covered before, but I've been unable to locate relevant threads using the search feature.
It's time to do some fixin', and I'm looking for advice (or links to threads that I'm not smart enough to find). As I'm located on the barren prairie, if there are repairs to be made using materials not found at specialty marine stores, this would be helpful.
For Pic1, where exactly are these holes located? we need to know if it is a load bearing part of the boat.
Clean out the hole of loose fiberglass with a circular file. Most of the time you can make a backing plate of pressure treated wood that fits through the hole but is longer than the hole. You drill a small hole in the center of it (or use a push pin) and put a string (or strong thread) through it. slip the backing plate it in the the hole, pull it back with the string so it is flush with the inside of the hole. then you glue it there with super glue (you only need it to stay there long enough for the marine-tex to dry). Cut the string as short as possible oncee the glue dries. Finally, fill it up with marine-tex.
Pic 2 if you push hard on the deck where the crack is, does it give at all?
Pic number three. remove the crappy repair with a dremel or loose bits and fill it with marine tex. once dry sand it flush
Re: Gel coat repair
[Re: ]
#152972 08/19/0808:03 PM08/19/0808:03 PM
Pic 1, holes are behind the rear beam (from the bolts holding the tiller together slamming down when the rudders are kicked up; sadly, it took me a while to notice them and then to figure out how it happened. I don't think it's load bearing, but feel free to correct my assumption. I can reach the holes through the aft porthole, so I should be able to omit the string, etc. if I can find some Marine-tex. 2. Sadly, yes. I can reach beneath the crack through the porthole in the middle of the boat. Can I slap some fibreglass underneath, and then fix the surface? 3. No crappy repair (yet), that's the dent from dropping the boom while trying to attach the main in rough weather - D'oh!! Again, maybe I can locate marine-tex. Home Depot??
Thanks Bob. I should have looked around when I was in Nautical Reach the other week buying a new main halyard.
I haven't seen the Blade out at Seba this year. I guess you decided to forego the Inter-City due to lack of other cats? One of these years I'm going to actually enter a race.