Advice for Repairing My Albacore Dinghy?

[Green23]

Hey guys...I just bought an old Albacore. It's generally in great shape, but there's one spot near the front that needs a little repair. Pardon me if I dont have all the terminology down, but it's near the bow, but its not in the hull. The fibreglassing that's needs done is up top, if you know what I mean...beneath the "deck" (if that can be called a deck). Hopefully you know where I mean...it's the enclosed portion of the Albacore, along the starboard side.

The guy who sold it to me said I'd need to flip the boat upside down to do those repairs. My father suggested it wasn't necessary, saying that I could do the fibreglass stuff upside down and use a 2x4 to press it flush when I'm done.

I was leaning towards flipping it...can someone tell me what the best course of action is here? I was somewhat skeptical of my dad's solution, thinking that, due to gravity, whatever I apply would naturally want to pull away...so I thought flipping the boat upside down sounded better. But hey, I'm new...what do you guys think should be done?

D

[Green23]

I guess the title makes it sound like it could be a complex question! lol. But it's not....anyone?

P.S. how do you edit subject titles around here?

[GordMay]

Methinks your instincts are good.
It's generally best to have gravity work for you, rather than against you.
With a 200 Lb (?) boat, I can't see any advantage in NOT inverting the boat.

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[Green23]

Thanks alot, GordMay.

[Green23]

Hey, uh...would my father's method be okay too, or does it sound somewhat foolhardy? It's really none of his concern but I know he's going to be rolling his eyes when he sees me flip it around if I cant explain to him just why it's best. I want to have something to tell him...(he's stubborn).

lol, if not, I'll just tell him "cuz GordMay said so! He has 14,000 posts so he knows a thing or two!" haha

[Jim Cate]

G'DAy Green,

Well, consider that some boats built of fibreglas can't be flipped over, and that even these larger boats may need similar repairs. So, in short, the "working upside down" approach can be and is used by experienced glass workers. But, it is much easier to do as Gordy says...

The deal is that you must keep the bit of wetted out cloth or CSM in comlete contact with the substrate, and also prevent the resin from flowing away from the repair area. Can be done, but requires a bit more than a 2x4 stuck in. I'd sure flip the bloody boat over and have at it... save the overhead work for when you have no choice!

Cheers,

Jim and Ann s/v Insatiable II lying Towlers Bay, NSW, Oz

[SabreKai]

a photo of the repair to be done would help give me an idea of what you are trying to do here.


Sabre

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Green23

... cuz GordMay said so! He has 14,000 posts so he knows a thing or two!" haha

Actually, he has over 14,000 posts, suggesting that he thinks he has something to say.

[tager]

With only a rough understanding of what you are trying to do, yes, it is quite possible to do it upside down. I have had to glass things upside down.

Its nowhere near as easy as doing it the right way, with gravity on your side.

If you have never done glasswork before, I will give you a rough idea of what it is like. Imagine sticking canvas to the ceiling with honey. It can be done, but it's a heck of a lot easier to stick it to the floor.