Hull Filler question

[hardestyeric]

I just bought a 1995 Champion. Upon a little further inspection I found that there is a place on the bottom of the hull where the outer layer of glass is chipped off. It is a pretty good sized area (approx 3" wide by 12" long) and it is back by the pad on the bottom. Right now, I don't have the money to take it to a glass shop to be fixed. Is there something I can fill and smooth it with so the inner layer of glass does not get damaged so I can use the boat until I can afford to get it fixed professionally? The spot is in between bunks on the trailer so I can get to it.
Thanks,
Eric H.

[ProcraftMike]

It sounds like you can repair that with some fiberglass and cloth. Being that it is on the pad, you want it smooth and flat, plus you want one side of the boat to mirror the other side. Otherwise, any imperfections may affect your handling.

[hardestyeric]

It looks like it isn't into the actual glass but just the gel coat. I can see the layers of glass underneath it and they all seem to be intact and un-damaged. I really have no idea how thick the gel coat is but it looks to be about 1/8 - 1/4" thick in that area.
Thanks,
Eric H.

[kisskollector]

Buy a couple packages of Resin and brush it on with a few of those cheap disposable brushes.

Buy the pricier stuff, its a lot harder and takes more poundage to break it. Doing it while the boat is right side up, even though the resin is thick, it will still drip down, but it can be sanded easily with an electric sander.

I would do 3-4 thin coats of it. It should be fine, paint it good and polyeurathene over it real well, that way you can check it every now and then and will easily notice any flaws.

[BASSCAT7]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by hardestyeric &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I just bought a 1995 Champion. Upon a little further inspection I found that there is a place on the bottom of the hull where the outer layer of glass is chipped off. It is a pretty good sized area (approx 3" wide by 12" long) and it is back by the pad on the bottom. Right now, I don't have the money to take it to a glass shop to be fixed. Is there something I can fill and smooth it with so the inner layer of glass does not get damaged so I can use the boat until I can afford to get it fixed professionally? The spot is in between bunks on the trailer so I can get to it.
Thanks,
Eric H.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Get some Marine - Tex, comes in white and gray.

Clean the gouge out real good , bevel the edges of the gel with a dremel tool or small sanding block.
Wipe the entire are clean with acetone to remove all contaminants. Follow the directions on the Marine - Tex putty, it is easy to use and will create a waterproof fix that will last as long as the boat.
Smooth it on with a plastic applicator, the smoother you can get it , the less finish sanding you will need .
Marine Tex is made for this sort of application.
Once it is sanded smooth you are done.

http://www.jamestowndistributo...Epoxy


Modified by BASSCAT7 at 4:03 PM 3/11/2009

[Higgy]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BASSCAT7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Get some Marine - Tex, comes in white and gray.

Clean the gouge out real good , bevel the edges of the gel with a dremel tool or small sanding block.
Wipe the entire are clean with acetone to remove all contaminants. Follow the directions on the Marine - Tex putty, it is easy to use and will create a waterproof fix that will last as long as the boat.
Smooth it on with a plastic applicator, the smoother you can get it , the less finish sanding you will need .
Marine Tex is made for this sort of application.
Once it is sanded smooth you are done. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Great info right there....I have to do a similar "patch" on the underside of my boat, but not quite as big. Thanks

[jerzia]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BASSCAT7 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Get some Marine - Tex, comes in white and gray.

Clean the gouge out real good , bevel the edges of the gel with a dremel tool or small sanding block.
Wipe the entire are clean with acetone to remove all contaminants. Follow the directions on the Marine - Tex putty, it is easy to use and will create a waterproof fix that will last as long as the boat.
Smooth it on with a plastic applicator, the smoother you can get it , the less finish sanding you will need .
Marine Tex is made for this sort of application.
Once it is sanded smooth you are done. </TD></TR></TABLE>

As easy as it gets, GREAT product. Since it is a two part system, (paste and hardener) it takes time to cure. I have found if the temperature is too low, the results aren't nearly as good as when warm. They suggest an external heat source for colder temps, (heat lamp etc) but I find it still comes out better when the repair is made in warmer ambient temperature.

[brad*84]

what about the RAPID SET marine tex?? it's the smaller tubes is it good??

[fishnfool38]

Make sure the glass under it is completely dry!!!!! if it is not when you seal moisture in it will turn acidic and start eating away the resin!