Paranoid new dad

[spason]

So, I am getting our new (to us) 1968 Islander ready for the season, and replacing the main bulkhead, port side, is the biggest job ahead of me. In the process of grinding the entire hull from head to galley, I noticed this one spot where the hull is totally clear. It's smaller than a dime, but it's a little unnerving. Is this normal? At night, if I leave the light on in the boat, a laser beam can be seen shining through the outside of the hull. The clear glass appears as thick as the surrounding fiberglass, but I can't be sure. I thought I would pose this question to you pros, since I (HOPEFULLY) will never be this deep again, at least on this side of the boat.

Thanks all!

[sdowney717]

No, not normal, totally clear means someone used epoxy only to fill a small hole. If your worried about it, or it looks like it might need help, then reinforce on the inside with fiberglass

[HappyMdRSailor]

Poke it with your finger from the outside.... If your finger goes through... You gotta problem.... JK.... Lay it up with some extra glass replacing the bulkhead... You are fine.....

[Cotemar]

Fiberglass without gel coat is see through. No a worries just add some gel coat to the outside in that area. The gel coat does not add to the strength of the boat.

This see through attribute is what makes the new fiberglass propane takes clear enough to see how full the tank is.

[haw1961]

Cotemar is absolutely correct. I have seen this many times. One charter boat I worked on had a spot so big we called it a skylight. The hull was strong and relatively thick.

[minaret]

Yep, they used to make "deadlights" in hatches all the time by taping them off when they sprayed gel in the mold, leaving them bare and semi transparent. More translucence is actually a sign of a quality lam.

[spason]

Cool, thanks for quelling my fear. I might put a little glass on it just for good measure, while I have it out, but good to know it's not some catastrophe waiting to happen!