Filling/repairing holes in hull below the water line

jollyboat · Post by **jollyboat** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:23 pm

I have recently removed a transducer and a through-hull fitting which were located in the forward section of hull just as the keel starts it's down angle. I do not intend to re-use these holes for tranducers or the like and intend on filling them. I planned on using west system mixed with micro fibers to fill the hole and then I plan to glass over the top the and bottom of each. Any thoughts, suggestions or comments on this proceedure are welcome. Thanks.

Post by **Tim** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:56 pm

That's what I would do.

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 9:26 pm

Here's a link to a Gougeon's Epoxyworks mag that covers that in some detail- good read-
http://www.epoxyworks.com/21/practical.html

Ceasar Choppy · Post by **Ceasar Choppy** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:58 am

I have successfully filled many holes below the waterline with the method described in Illustration 8 of the West system link that was posted. although I dispensed with the "puck"... although in hindsignt it might have been helpful.

One thing to keep in mind: it would seem logical to fill the beveled hole with your pre-cut circles of fiberglass starting with the smallest and working your way up to the largest circle to fill the hole. DON'T DO IT!

As the illustration shows, you want to start with the largest circles first and work your way up to the smallest circles as your hole fills. The reason for this is is strength. As you go to sand and fair this area, you will not break the structural integrity of the largest pieces of fiberglass as you sand this area to make it fair. Instead, you might sand off one or two layers of glass, but the largest structural pieces will remain intact.

I hope that makes sense. Its a monday morning afterall!