fiberglass repair

[vic33004]

i had some trouble with a piling last w/e. backed the boat into one and i could hear the horrible crunching sound of the glass crushing at the back of the swim platform. it doesnt look too bad, however after pulling the rub rail off the boat, the crack does go comepletely thru at the bottom edge and there is a horizontal bubble on the back side of the platform face at the top of the crack.

any thoughts on how best to make the repairs? i.e. grind away from the surface to remove the damaged matts, cut out the damaged area completely, glass in from the rear, combination of the above?

the swim platform has a vertical lip to it of approx 7 inches. it turns down from horizontal at about 45 degrees before going straight down. the platform could be removed from the boat if it were hauled but it would probably destroy the gelcoat where it is attached to the transome. the platform itself is 14 x 4 and probably about 500 lbs. it does not appear to have suffered any damage other than the vertical and 45 degree face at the aft end.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46108&id=1176611983&saved#!/photo.php?pid=1349367&id=1176611983&fbid=1440731616409

 

[Radioactive]

I'll go ahead and say it now, to get it over with... Most of those who can, and will help will need to see a picture ( or pictures ).

TAke pics, ( recommend that you use max 800 x 600 size ), upload to a convenient site ( I use Photobucket ), then post the link inside of a post, here. This will save a LOT of confusion.

The general plan will be to remove, carefully, all of the damaged pieces/parts, by whatever method will produce the least amount of damage to the remaining good material.

I would definitely haul out to do the repair.

I will leave the rest to the better glass restorers...

 

[vic33004]

i've tried to upload the photos with a different link now. hope they are visible.

 

[Gregory S]

Nope, need a pass word for Facebook. Just curious though, If you did this damage to your car, would you be fixing it yourself?

 

[PleasureTime]

Vic, I feel your pain, my boat was used as a demo by the dealer and it had a crack in the swim platform at around the same area but not as bad as yours. I didn't notice it until after delivery, one day the dock master was looking it and spotted the crack. The dealer OK'd a local glass man to repair it and the good news is that was almost 3 years ago and it still looks like new. As I remember it, the cost wasn’t that bad, get a glass man to do the repairs for you. They can come right to the boat and do a professional job for you in no time.