Hull repair damage

[Joshua Miller]

I was underneath my boat today repairing some gouges and scars underneath my Keel Guard that I removed. Noticed a spot where the sealant looked like it was globbed on; no sanding or any attempt to hide the repair. Went to remove the sealant and sprung a leak in the fiberglass. It's been about two hours and it's still leaking at about 12 drops/minute. This has me worried about fiberglass rotting and now I can't get the leak to stop. Put some 3M 4800 on it but it's still leaking. This is where my Keel Guard is going so I don't need to do a complete fiberglass repair, I just need to seal it and get it flush with the hull so there are not air pockets when I go and seal the Keel Guard. Any advice?

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Where exactly is this on the hull?

You need to get the glass dried out. A larger hole may have to be made to speed the drying. I would not try to seal the water in.

 

[Joshua Miller]

About a couple of inches off the centerline on the bow, straight below the cockpit but on the port side.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Get the keel to be level or slightly dipped forwards the bow. Let that water drain.

How long do you think this water has been in there?

Does the water smell strange? Not like musty but chemical like.

You can take a hard rubber hammer or a screwdriver handle and tap all around the keel. Listen for noticeable sound changes to find blisters and water logged areas.

I'm hoping this is not major.

 

[Joshua Miller]

I checked the water. It's clear and has no smell. The repair has been there as long as I've owned the boat (2yrs) so I assume the water has been trapped there the whole time. Thanks for the help. Wish I would have found this over the winter.

 

[zelone]

I watched fiberglass guys use heat guns on a a hole they were going to repair, for hours to dry it out completely. 2 guns going on high,literally for half a day. Some of the glass was glowing red,but they were able to finish the repair that day.