Drift boat repairs

[primetime]

Looking if for some suggestions with a drift boat repair. I think it's just cosmetic. But Any advice from drift boat owners would be great. I am planning on using some fiber glass repair.

[spoonman]

Dont know much about fiberglass. But i would think you would definitely want to seal it up. I would think just the patch stuff would work fine. Is that on the chine primetime? Did you do it or was it already there? I remember when i put a nice golf ball sized dent in the chi e of my Wooldridge, it was a constant reminder of a bad day.

[primetime]

Ya it's on the bottom side of it. I bought a patch kit that I'm gonna use. It's not bad just something I don't want to get worse. But ya I did it. Had two other big guys in the boat and my turn was a little sluggish. It's not the biggest drift boat. I redeemed myself though and we caught 7 wild steelies that day haha.

[primetime]

Here's one them.

[natetreat]

I would patch with a fiberglass patch and paint to match. If you do it right, you won't even be able to tell it's there. I'd fix it, before it gets bigger.

[primetime]

Most repairs I've seen are people cutting out the fiberglass and patching that way. I feel like mine isn't that bad. Could I just patch it without cutting into my boat?

[natetreat]

I'd certainly give that a try first if you want. I've done it on one of my old floaters, it didn't look the best that way though. Someone with more experience would know better than me.

[RiverChromeGS]

Here's one them.

I probably hit the same rock that day/week too haha... Things were so low this winter, some you just had to hit ;)

[Bodofish]

Can't tell by the pic, is that wood? Were are you at? Repair should be pretty easy regardless of material. I've fixed many boats. Just need some more info. Neither wood or fiberglass are water proof, so the first chore is making sure it's bone dry before you do anything to it. Seal in any water and the trouble begins.

[billa98272]

if you dont replace the damaged fibers it likely will crack in the same spot. the good news is, fiberglass is cloth and glue basically. So if you screw it up, cut it out and do it again... Or patch it and then in off season send it to a fiberglass shop for a pro repair. Where are you located?

[billa98272]

Oh and no that damage is not just cosmetic. Anytime you get into the fiberglass, it needs to be sealed. Fiberglass will absorb water then in the winter if it freezes it will expand and cause further damage. Think of putting a can of soda in the freezer, needs to be and least sealed. Take a file and gently remove any dirty material, wipe with acetone, paint over damage with fiberglass resin at the least.

[Steelheadin360]

That was a bad hit if it did that much to the boat. If I had it I would grind that spot out and check for any cracking going anywere, then start cutting and laying fiberglass over the spot until its flush with the rest of the boat. Then you need to gel coat or paint over it to seal it and keep water out.


A half @$$ repair will work for now, but if that spot is damaged it will weaken over time and the next big hit is probably gonna but some water in the boat.

[Bodofish]

Lots of speculation and we still don't know if it's wood or glass. Either would be an easy fix. The only start is to get it dry and prepped. Next step is to pick materials. Not all resin stick to other resins. The correct choice is the difference between doing it once or do it again and again.
On the other hand it sounded as if he had already chosen a patch kit and the repair is probably already done.

[billa98272]

Good point also on drying out. There is a test and you can Google it, tap it with a US quarter. Tap on a known good spot and listen, then tap the damaged area and start tapping out and Mark with a sharpie. You can tell difference between good material and damaged material. Use West Systems 105 Epoxy. Epoxy stick to polyester better then poly to poly repair.

[Bodofish]

Good point also on drying out. There is a test and you can Google it, tap it with a US quarter. Tap on a known good spot and listen, then tap the damaged area and start tapping out and Mark with a sharpie. You can tell difference between good material and damaged material. Use West Systems 105 Epoxy. Epoxy stick to polyester better then poly to poly repair.

Yep I concur.