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rhr1956 · 20-02-2012, 06:29

The area where the hole is has no core and is quite large. There is no access from the inside without cutting the interior liner and I don't want to do that. Suggestions?

boasun · 20-02-2012, 06:49

1. fill with expanding foam.

2. bevel the edge of the hole and use a series of patches as you cover the hole... maybe up to five or seven. grind smooth

3. going with #2, tap a wood plug into the hole and cover with fiberglass patches & resin. grind smooth.

2 & 3 you really don't need the expanding foam.

David_Old_Jersey · 20-02-2012, 07:07

A 1/4" hole is small - is it a bullet hole?

Not entirely sure what that schematic is saying

, but.....

I would grind out the hole a tad, both to clean it and turn the hole into a tapered shape \ / (wider on the outside - so plug can't "pop" through).

then force in thickened epoxy (it will slowly "droop" down the inside of the hull - which prevents the epoxy bung simply popping back out)

and then grind the outside of the hull, and depending on thickness you have to play with, add a layer or 2 of cloth (or 3. or 4

).

Would very much prefer to also patch on the inside - especially if underwater. Above water would be more relaxed. a bit

.

rhr1956 · 20-02-2012, 07:10

I would like to say it was a bullet hole but in truth...I thought once and then drilled. Should have thought twice.

rhr1956 · 20-02-2012, 07:43

the hole is in the cabin top.

hugosalt · 20-02-2012, 07:46

Can form a base on inside of hole by using stiff fabric/fiberglass patch covered with resin/epoxy...run fishing line or heavy thread
through center (in and back out like you would do a button)
then collapse it through hole...once inside it will open up and then pull with line to snug to bottom of hole. Once set up some you can pull line out and then when fully dry you are ready to go to work as decribed above.
(like an inverted umbrella)

rhr1956 · 20-02-2012, 08:42

Stiff patch/fiberglass? Not sure how to come up with this patch. Please elaborate.

hugosalt · 20-02-2012, 09:09

Take just about any heavy fabric..preferble fiberglass mat..but can be piece of canvas or other. Cut it out maybe one plus inch round...put thread in then out of center. Butter liberally with resin or epoxy of choice...it will fold going thru your quarter inch
hole and then pop back open when inside...pull it snug to bottom of hole with thread...when exopy set enough to hold in
place you should be able to let one end of thread go and remove
thread. Now when fully dry you will have a base to start filling
your hole.

cal40john · 20-02-2012, 09:11

The stiff patch will be near impossible to fit through a 1/4" hole. This is used for bigger holes.

If you do the taper approach your first layer of glass will span the hole just fine. If you're worried about pushing it through, wait until the first layer is set then add the other layers.

For a 1/4" hole in the deck I'd probably just fill it with Marine Tex or some other thickened epoxy.

John

rubyjean · 20-02-2012, 09:14

I removed an outboard motor bracket from the stern of my Haida. I just filledd the holes w/ white Marine Tex, then sanded smooth. The two bottom holes were close to the water line. Has worked fine for two years now, no leaks yet. Made a invisable repair for me. ..Michael..