Hole in Boat 🤢- UPDATE

Hey guys hope all is going well and having a good Easter weekend. I noticed a slight crack and of course picked at it like a scab. You guys think gel coat repair kit will be able to fill the void entirely to surface? Or should I use some sort of epoxy filler and then gel repair over that? Appreciate the help! Thanks everyone.

Most likely all of the above as she’s 84SN2001. It actually looks worse then it is but looks like defect mold void from CC??? I was thinking to add some fiberglass matting to fill the void and then gel coat repair kit afterwards. Going to call few places to see what material I should be using. I know they make Marine Tex Paste but not sure if it’ll work for this application. Fun stuff. Thanks

MourningWood wrote: Yikes! How deep is the wound?  You can stuff in some epoxy with little micro-balls in it...I think it comes in a kit. Just mix it up and stuff it in. Looks like an air bubble in the layup process. Dry?

You are correct about the air bubble plus good idea on the micro-balls. I’ll need to get better look at it tomorrow as I almost past out at the time. Everything around it is solid and no other signs of defect. It’s dry to.

Morfoot wrote: Kostas...is the fiberglass in the hole squishy or solid??? Looks like it could have been an air bubble in the layup when mfg'd. If its solid then I think your in the right track. Resin with microballons added is a great filler. If you an find them at hobby lobby or Amazon then get some syringes and fill your Pnut Butter mix into the syringe and you can really force it in the gaps. Once its back there then get a toothpick and poke at it to make sure all the air bubbles are out. Once filled put some tape over the hole so it won't ooze out. Once cured then do some sanding and go over the repair with gel!

Thank you Tim! The fiberglass is hard as a rock, no soft spots. Looks like I’ll be doing some fiberglass and gel. Appreciate everyone’s help! Glad I caught it now. Have a good Easter everyone!

TRBenj wrote: I feel like I saw a similar question on fb recently… If the glass is solid then this is purely a cosmetic issue and only needs to be addressed if you don’t like the look of it. No rush from a structural or deterioration perspective. If and when you attempt a repair I would not advise a gel over epoxy repair directly.

That was me 🥴. Thanks Tim!

Gary S wrote: Do your homework and just take it to a pro. It's a nice boat,been part of the family and didn't cost you anything,time to spend something on maintenance.

I would Gary! If I could fine a reputable shop to do the work in a realistic timeframe. You know anyone in IL? I’ll be calling the shop tomorrow next to N3.

Al’s pro fiberglass in whitewater Wisconsin if you are willing to head a little north.

TRBenj wrote: If and when you attempt a repair I would not advise a gel over epoxy repair directly.

Your correct Tim as US Composites advised the same. They are looking into options for my application. Thanks again

TRBenj wrote: If the glass is solid then this is purely a cosmetic issue and only needs to be addressed if you don’t like the look of it. No rush from a structural or deterioration perspective.

Reiterating the above in case you missed it. Not a rush unless you just can’t bear to look at it any longer.

You can fill the void with thickened epoxy if you want, then use a conversion coat before gel. Vinylester or duracoat work. Or you could fill the void with thickened vinyl or poly, gel will still to either (directly).

I wouldn’t be afraid to try it yourself, there’s really no penalty. Screw it up or don’t like the color match? Grind it off and try again (or bring to a pro).

Spoke with few shops and vendors all concluded air void as well during layup at the factory…below are the 3 options I’m considering after talking with them. Little concern with option #1 and #2 with sanding. Figure I share this information incase anyone else comes across this thread….

Option #1:
- 700 Vinyl Ester Resin
- Aerosil-Cabosil thickening agent
- 1/32” Milled Fiber powder
- Polyester Pure White Gelcoat
- Surface Wax (Mod-C) additive

Option #2:
- Fasco 110 Epoxy Glue, 2 part putty
- Aerosil-Cabosil thickening agent
- White Gelcoat Pigment

Option #3:
- USC Duraglas Fiberglass Filled Filler
- Spectrum Jupiter Patch Paste Kit

TRBenj,

Maybe Nautique will offer Warranty?   The boat is only what, 40 years old now.    Should not have happened but heck it lasted a very long time, probably many more boats have similar issues that never have showed up.

OldSchoolBlue84 wrote: gun-driver wrote: OK I'll ask... How the heck did that happen??  Did the wife throw a hammer at you and miss?  Haha no she’ll never hurt her boat ☺️…me, possibly 🤷 Most likely contact with an object and developed a slight crack in the gel. When I was cleaning the teak I noticed the crack, pushed on it with my thumb and created hole. There’s no delaminating or structural concerns, just air void from fiberglass layup at the factory.

MrMcD wrote: Maybe Nautique will offer Warranty?   The boat is only what, 40 years old now.    Should not have happened but heck it lasted a very long time, probably many more boats have similar issues that never have showed up.

Now that’ll be customer service & unbelievable warranty ☺️

Like, say Supremes with water saturation, or Supras with water saturation, or Malibu's with asymmetrical hull chines, or......