hull repairs :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

hull repairs

rungi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 11:10 AM

Hi
I had a ladder fall over and hit the boat.

What would be the best way to repair this?
What tools do I need?
Also have one small leak from the drain plug area. Does anyone know how to repair this? It leaks from just below the drain plug.

Edited by rungi on Sep 11, 2021 - 11:17 AM.
waiex191

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 07, 2020

Last visit: Feb 29, 2024

Posts: 359
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 01:59 PM

Edward,
Hard to know where to start. A couple of questions:
1) have you ever worked with fiberglass before?
2) what is your goal? Just seaworthy, or do you want it to be pretty?

--
Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
--
rungi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 02:23 PM

i never have worked with fiberglass
i just want it seaworthy.
rungi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 04:38 PM

I just watched this video which gets a good description of the process?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b85sI8Re8VA
Do you think it is necessary to cut the hull open and put in a backing plate? I don't think there is an actual puncture.

Edited by rungi on Sep 11, 2021 - 04:40 PM.
rungi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 05:55 PM

I think I am going to need to remove drain plug. Are the rivets usually just screwed into the fiber glass?
waiex191

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 07, 2020

Last visit: Feb 29, 2024

Posts: 359
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 06:21 PM

I would not cut a hole for those small bits of damage. I would sand the area and just lay up one or two layers of fiberglass cloth. My drain plugs are held in with wood screws.

I wet down the area that I'm going to fiberglass with resin. Then put cloth over, and use a brush to work resin in from the top as well. A good video example is here:
https://youtu.be/9jHUI0CiYbs

I just use a brush and not a roller. I would use fiberglass cloth rather than the mat he shows. Also, you want to use epoxy resin, as polyester resin will attack the foam.

--
Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
--
rungi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 06:44 PM

Thanks
Do you think I can just use the epoxy + hardener+ filler material (instead of the cloth) for the damage on the side of the hull?

There is cloth in the kit but also a filler. Says you can make it like peanut butter with the filler and spread it?

How much would you sand?
Does the area need to be perfectly smooth before applying the epoxy mix?

Don't want to sand a hole in the hull
waiex191

Rank: Mate

Registered: Oct 07, 2020

Last visit: Feb 29, 2024

Posts: 359
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 08:23 PM

I assume the filler material is to make a thick paste with the epoxy. That is what I've been calling flox on my posts. You can do that if you don't need the strength of the cloth. Probably ok for those small repairs. I would sand with 60 grit, so it is not really that smooth but rough for adhesion. How much? Don't sand through the cloth but sanding off the gelcoat is ok.

--
Bryan in Poplar Grove, IL
Supercat 17, unknown year. Future project
Hobie 16, 1977 - died a spectacular death https://youtu.be/Y7O22bp2MVA
Hobie 16, 1978 - current boat
--
rungi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 08:36 PM

the filler material is glass powder i think
jalex

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Registered: May 08, 2013

Last visit: Oct 02, 2023

Posts: 508
Posted: Sep 11, 2021 - 10:59 PM

You need to get the drain plug out and whatever all that white goop is to figure out what’s what. Not sure if previous owner made a mess with that goop or is covering some damage. It looks like it’s spread under the bottom of the hull, if there is damage there it needs a real fix.
rungi

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Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 12, 2021 - 12:08 AM

How do you remove the drain plug?
rungi

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Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 12, 2021 - 12:13 AM

and how do you put it back on after repairing?
jalex

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Posts: 508
Posted: Sep 12, 2021 - 08:14 AM

They are typically held with 2 screws and some silicone sealant. You will have to drill the heads off those rivets and see if it will come out, I don’t know what that goop in the photo is. When done with repair go ahead and put a new plug housing.
rungi

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Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 12, 2021 - 09:34 AM

Is the goop is silicone?
I am sure this is a common goop
The boat barely leaks it is a small drip from the drain
I really do not wnat to remove the drain

Will the boat need to be flipped to do this repair?
jalex

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Registered: May 08, 2013

Last visit: Oct 02, 2023

Posts: 508
Posted: Sep 12, 2021 - 09:45 AM

It’s super easy to do but if you don’t want to do it don’t do it, these are pretty minor things that could be left alone but you asked how to fix them and there is some reason the previous owner riveted the plug housing in place and smeared some white goop all over it, probably some sort of damage. If it’s not leaking just sail it

Edited by jalex on Sep 12, 2021 - 10:46 AM.
rungi

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Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 12, 2021 - 10:58 AM

I think the drain plugs are always riveted in place.
The boat has been repaired before.

I never got the how to do it part?
raisehull

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Jul 11, 2014

Last visit: Mar 18, 2024

Posts: 80
Posted: Sep 12, 2021 - 12:32 PM

The drain plug doesn't screw out from the socket?

--
1978 H18
1983 H18 (some of it)
--
rungi

Rank: Mate

Registered: Jun 24, 2021

Last visit: May 25, 2022

Posts: 152
Posted: Sep 12, 2021 - 06:42 PM

The drain plug screw out but the entire thing is riveted onto the hull.
Anyway I finished the repair. Was pretty easy.
Used the west system 106 with epoxy and hardener.
Hope it will work