Uncovered my Newport 27 propeller shaft support, now what?

[ChicagoNewport27]

Yesterday, I was sanding and faring the hull in prep for a new paint job on my new (old) Newport 27. I saw a series of cracks near the propeller support skeg-thing-a-majigger.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/169/4...0bbec862_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/210/4...4b36be45_b.jpg

No problem, I think to myself. I've read this chapter in Don Casey's books a hundred times!

So, I get out the trusty grinder and try to grind them out, with thoughts of then filling the cracks I'd opened with West system epoxy. So, I start grinding and grinding, and I started to worry that I must be in danger of cutting into the hull. Right about then, lo and behold, a huge chunk of hull fell off onto my head, revealing a huge metal bracket!

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/204/4...fad1cc3f_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/211/4...ee059b17_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/4...2ee92cbb_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/195/4...cc1527f0_b.jpg

Evidently, someone had put a big patch (epoxy, or gelcoat?) over the metal plate supporting the propeller skeg thing. Over the years, some combination of engine vibration and poor adhesion between dissimilar materials made this patch crack and jiggle loose. I can't tell if this was factory-issue, or some well-meaning previous owner.

Now, the questions:

What do I do to this area?

I figure my options are to leave it alone or to make a new patch to cover it over, right?

Should I fill the void with epoxy, sand and fair it so it blends to the lines of the hull, then paint it out to match the hull (and hope I don't have to repeat the same series of events in a couple years)?

Or, should I just put a bead of epoxy around the edges to prevent water intrusion under the gelcoat around the bracket base? (I am in Chicago, so the freeze-thaw cycle is a concern)

Or, should I just leave it alone, mask it off, and paint everything but the metal, so the screws are easily accessible if the things needs repair?

I'm stumped.

Thanks in advance!

(More pictures of my "project boat" can be found here)

[camaraderie]

Chicago....thi picture:


...makes it look like the metal bracket itself is broken. Id that the case or is the bracket intact?
If not broken...I would say to loosen the bolts and re-bed with 3M 4200 compound after first re-expoxying the space to be sure you can't get any water intrusion into your fiberglass. Leave the metal exposed and simply paint everything with bottom paint.
If the metal bracket is broken that is much more serious and I would take the whole assembly to a welding shop to see if it can be salvaged or if you need a replacement.

[ChicagoNewport27]

Originally Posted by camaraderie

Chicago....this picture:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/211/4...ee059b17_b.jpg

...makes it look like the metal bracket itself is broken. Is that the case or is the bracket intact?

No, pictured in that shot is the plug of old epoxy that was on top of the bracket (almost looks like a negative image of the bracket). I was just marvelling at how thick the epoxy was that was previously covering that bracket.

Originally Posted by camaraderie

If not broken...I would say to loosen the bolts and re-bed with 3M 4200 compound after first re-expoxying the space to be sure you can't get any water intrusion into your fiberglass. Leave the metal exposed and simply paint everything with bottom paint.

Good advice. Thanks!