How should I seal this hole?

[Faster]

Originally Posted by Perithead

Ok, I'm sitting in the boat now and I've just sanded the area down real good. I have the fiberglass cut and ready, I have some epoxy left over from when I built my sailing dinghy about 3 years ago. Think it's still good? All of my 5 min Epoxy is to old and its hardened in the tube.....

I plan on taking the boat out Friday, that's why I'm looking for a quick fix.

Not sure that the shelf life for the hardner is that long.. I'd go out and buy the smallest West or equivalent kit.. then you'll have some on hand for any future projects..

I also don't think your average '5 min epoxy' is appropriate, nor is it intended to be a laminating resin. However this not a critical patch so if you want to try your old stock, this is as good a place as any to try it.. you can always start over if it doesn't cure.

[msmith10]

The old epoxy is probably fine if it's still liquid.
If you follow SDs advice, make sure to use nothing smaller than a $10 bill.

[hellosailor]

Clean out the hole, cover the bottom with duct tape. gob in some epoxy, make sure to coat all the bare wood in the hole. Then insert a WOOD DOWEL to fill the majority of the hole, seal in place with the epoxy.

WHy a wood dowel? Because wood is cheaper than epoxy, and easier to drill out if you need to repeat the procedure in the future. Centerboards have been known to get stuck more than once.

[14432]

If you go the epoxy route just remember that it is not resistant to UV - it will need to be protected with something

[Silvio]

Originally Posted by smackdaddy

Dude it's a boat! Just stuff some cash in it!

yup, looks like about two $100 bills should about fit.

[ccriders]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned MarineTex. I think this would be a perfect application for it and it can be purchsed in small amounts so you don't have the left over problem. It is very hard after curing, can be sanded and painted if you like. Seems like glass fabric and thickened epoxy is just too complicated for this small hole. And, it is quick and easy. I think it will be important to get the inside of the centerboard box clean and washed down with acetone or mek and to have a filet jigged up to put inside pressure on whatever product you use.
John

[RobGallagher]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Clean out the hole, cover the bottom with duct tape. gob in some epoxy, make sure to coat all the bare wood in the hole. Then insert a WOOD DOWEL to fill the majority of the hole, seal in place with the epoxy.

WHy a wood dowel? Because wood is cheaper than epoxy, and easier to drill out if you need to repeat the procedure in the future. Centerboards have been known to get stuck more than once.

Good idea.

[MedSailor]

This is what you need:

Amazon.com: Fibre Glass Evercoat 108015 Everfix Epoxy Stick - 4 oz.: Automotive

It may look like cheap, humble, product but oh no it is not! I used this stuff to patch a 4foot long crack in my wooden boat's hull from the OUTSIDE, while underwater, with scuba gear on and it stayed in place for the next 4+ years of sailing and cruising.

It is a lot like bubble gum once mixed up in your fingers, and then you've got 2-5mins to apply said bubble gum to your area and presto! Robert is your mother's brother! (Bob's your uncle).

Get a stick of this stuff, mash it up, apply to centerboard hole. Mash some more so the bubble gum looks flush-ish and if you're really anal you can sand it flat when your're done. Never worry about it again. Total job time <10min. Total cost <$10.

MedSailor

[Perithead]

I thought about the mix up "bubble gum" like epoxy but I didn't want to mention it because I figured someone would totally shoot that down. I went with some marine epoxy and a few layers of fiber glass.

Took the boat out for a sail today and everything went great! The more I take this thing out the more I tweak little things here and there, making the whole experience better.