Chrysler Sailors Forum

Hi all,
While fitting out my c22 for launch, I noticed that, inside the cabin, at the start of the v-berth, I can see a glow from outside through the hull, starboard side. On closer inspection, I notice what seems to be damage of some sort. Outside, you can see a 6 inch crease about 6 inches above the water line ( like a crack ). Inside, it looks as if the boat took a hit there, and some of the interior facing fiberglass flaked off, leaving the hull thinner there than elsewhere. The total area affected inside is about 6x10 inches, and is in the form of 'valleys' in the fiberglass, 1/2 an inch wide, a couple of inches long.

I was thinking of adding some fiberglass to the inside, perhaps filling the voids with some 2 part epoxy first. Any suggestions?

Sounds to me like you've got it covered.

Properly clean and prep the surface and your repair will likely be stronger than the rest of the hull.

I'm no expert but I have done a fair amount of glass work on boats in my past. It really is not hard. More intimidating than difficult. If you have a local boat yard, ask around with the folks there. They will guide you and point out the proper materials.


I had an 18' solcat. Once I was ghosting in to a boat ramp where at low tide I would slide her up on the slimey ramp and leave her while I get the trailer. Freeking gust of wind caught me unexpetedly and of course I had the jamp cleat holding the main. It shot me 30 feet up the ramp. Granted the first 20 were slimy green so no problem but the last 10 just did wonders for the hulls! I had to get several guys to lift her on the trailer.

Well, all that said and I thought I had major problems when in fact the repair was very straight forward.
Scott

I would use some epoxy resin with some filler then glass over it. Good thing is it is above the water line...bad thing the water line only applies while you are not sailing, half the time it will be under water but it does not sound like it will be a problem. You will want to make sure the outside is sealed properly. Over the long haul water, if it is allowed to penetrate past the gel coat, can rot the fiberglass from the inside out. If it was below the waterline where it was constantly submerged I would be more concerned short term.

This link has a good How To: http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/17.htm