SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Gelcoat / Paint / Fireberglass Repair => Topic started by: Blue2184 on July 08, 2013, 08:14:28 AM
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has anyone ever tried to use one side of their boat to make a repair mold for the other side?? this weekend my steering cable boroke and i put my boat up on the bank and hit a tree.. put a pretty nasty hole in the deck of the boat and the side?? did not get into the bottom of the boat or the nose of the boat, was just wondering why i couldnt use the other side of the boat to make a plug so i could fiberglass the repair section? just wasent sure of trying to do this on top of my jelcoat? didnt know if i could just wax the hell out of it and be okay or is their was some kind of relase agent i could put on it? again just talking out my a@@,but seems like a good idea when i pretty much have a mirror image on the other side of the boat instead of trying to rebuild it from scratch??
thanks for any input guys!!
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or if anyone can point me in the right direction for info to make sure i get this job done right the first time??
thanks again
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I haven't seen to many hulls that are identical on both sides. When I've used fiber glass for molds on small projects, have used wax paper as it wont stick to it. It also will allow to cure hard at touching surface of paper otherwise you need to ad wax additive to final layer to achieve or you end up with a top sticky surface.
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yeah i know its not going to be dead on? but i would think it would be a lot closer than me trying to build it back up to match it? as far as the slight contour in the top of the boat and the raised ridge that runs around the outside edge of the boat.. just didnt know about doing glass work on top of the other side of the boat? once i got the plug made i could sand it to get it smooth before i layed the glass in for the repair pice?
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If the hole is big enough...you can make a slightly larger cardboard/plastic template to lay under/inside of hole. Tape it or use support brace to hold it up to hull. This should make your mold to start the process. You need to prep both sides well and get rid of any stress cracks as they might pop through gel later. Use the heavy duty marine grade fiber...really thick(its sewn together).
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i just wasent sure if i could get the carboard or plastic to follow the slight kind of roll in the top of the boat? just didnt want to wind up with flat spot on the top of the boat? thats why i was thinking of trying to use the other side to make a mold to build the repair pice out of? its a 18 foot elimantor bubble deck boat and i have about a 10 or 12" x 18" spot im going to have to repair?
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First layer of glass will be what you built up on. Just get the inner part close and then reinforce. A good eye and feel while sanding will get you spot on.
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i have good accsess to the inside of the repair spot, so that will not be to big of A deal. well other than laying on your back and glassing over your head? lol but at least i can get to it to do the work!
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Saw this for a quick refresh...
http://www.boatrepairvideos.com/id9.html (http://www.boatrepairvideos.com/id9.html)
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good info! thanks for the help, going to dive into this job before to long and see if i cant get my boat put back together..
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What make and model hull?
I have some ideas....
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gt jets its a 1976 eliminator bubble deck..
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gt jets its a 1976 eliminator bubble deck..
I have to make some calls but I have it on good authority that a portion of the hull can be ordered as a replacement part. I will get back to you stupid soon....
I have a close friend that just did a Cole TR2
GT
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thanks gt jet!!! that would be awsome!!! ;D
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Any luck gt jets?
Thanks
Jason
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why dont you put grip tape on the good side and get some stryofoam sheets and rub the foam against the grip tape it will sand the stryofoam down to the shape of the hull then stick the foam to the other side and glass it from the inside . O0
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That sounds like a good option as well!! Thanks for the help!! I will take a look at that too!
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would be a lot easier to give advice if you posted a pic of what you are working with. It may not be as bad as you think.
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Any luck gt jets?
Thanks
Jason
I spoke with one of the reps from the shop and it sounds like it may be possible, but not easy.
I agree with the above, got a picture or two of this deal?
Probably not near as bad as you think.
I once repaired a hole in the side if a 21' Bahner that a Jet Ski made, even had the factory gel coat colors custom matched. It looked better after the repairs then it did before the accident.
GT
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Ok here's the ugly!! I don't think it's really that bad? It did not get into the bottom of the hull? I think just more cosmetic than anything? I just want to do the repair once and have it last!!
Thanks for the help guys!!
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Oh that's a good one. I'd start looking for another hull. That's gonna be a expensive fix once the gel coat comes into the equation
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I dont see how you could take a mold off the other side. Your curves will be 180 out of what you want for the other side. This fix is going to be a pretty extensive job. and for what you can get a hull for these days i would just find a nother donor hull that you like and swap your stuff over.
anything can be fixed but if you want to be back on the water any time soon i would just get another hull. Unless this is some super light carbon kevlar lay up that costs 20k. if it is just a standard jet hull just find another one that you like. after you fix the hull and prep and fix the gell coat you are going to be out a lot of time and money. easier to just get a new hull
but dont let anyone tell you what to do. if you feel like fixing it go ahead. or you could just get another donor hull to tie you over. and then fix your boat in your free time. and still enjoy the river in the temp hull with your running gear.
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Ouch man. :'( that is gnarley! If you decide to fix that, I hope you post pics of the process and the finished outcome. Good luck in whatever decision you make.
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That's a pretty bad boo boo.
Structurally easy, cosmetically a nightmare. The problem you have there is you need to obtain two partial molds, at $800 each section, you will be in this deal balls deep.
Honestly, I think you would be partially insane to fix this Hull.
I have a couple of ideas for a replacement Hull.
I will be getting back to you soon.
GT
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I would take it to a shop and have it fixed if you really love this boat mine wasn't that bad but it can be fixed and you would want it fixed right. Ice cream mans ultra he got from rob zombie had the front sponson completely torn off from hitting the rock at at big river. Call Mario at so cal speed and marine 6617020915. His prices are really fair and you wouldn't be disappointed. He capped and fixed the giant hole in the nose of my boat well worth the money I spent. After a quote you can decide rather to fix or look for a new hull.
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Thanks for all the help guys.. And I'm not scared of the fiberglass work! My labor is free! And the boat was a original ss hull? Don't think it was no super light layup or anything like that. But just had all of the interior redone as well? I think I would still be ahead by fixing what I have versus starting over with another hull? And I have all winter to play with it? Pretty sure I can get the hull back in shape myself? Then just be out getting the jelcoat done?
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That will be a tough repair. I think you are right to consider making a mold and get a whole new section to replace the damaged area. I don't see how you can use the other side of the boat. I'd try to find another good identical boat,
and make a mold off it and them make the repair section from the mold. It won't harm the boat to make a mold if done right. Replacing the hull is certainly a better bet for a good outcome.
You can do it the 'hard way', it will be very time consuming doing all the shaping and sanding to get it right without the replacement hull section. my 2 cents.