repair of damaged left hull (collision)

Had a serious collision last weekend with a small but heavy steel vessel. I lost… <img src="<>/mad.gif" alt="mad" title="mad" height="15" width="15" /> Not my mistake but looks like it is going to be tough insurance wise because my Hobie 16 is 17 years old and well used <img src="<>/frown.gif" alt="frown" title="frown" height="15" width="15" />. Pictures available but to large. Will try to add later..The hole in the front looks serious but – to my opinion – will be rather easy to repair. The crack halfway the bow seems to be far more serious. Probably one of the strongest parts of the hull and cracked/dented. Outside it only shows a crack 10” long, inside however 3-4x longer.
Estimate repair equals the value of my H16 before the collision. For the insurance that’s most likely total loss. Might leave me with too little money to buy another (used) H16.

Quite frankly I think replacing one hull will be cheaper (and faster..). If no other option remains I’ll try repair myself. Hope anybody can give me some advise especially on the crack. Will opening the area with a grinding disc and repair it both inside and outside with glass fibre and polyester (epoxy ??) do the job and will it last? <img src="<>/confused.gif" alt="confused" title="confused" height="15" width="15" />

Alternative is buying 2nd hand H16 and exchange the hull but they are not easy available yet. Maybe in a couple of month when the season ends…

[pictures added August 20]