I'm an idiot.

(corbin) · (corbin) **Join Date: Jul 2009** 12-05-2010, 1:36 PM

Okay. Let the bantering begin but please when your done telling me what I should have done, help me learn how to fix it

I was screwing the foot rest back down to the deck under the dash and apparently I used too long of screw. I would have never thought that the screws I was useing were long enough to go through the deck and then through the hull. When I tried to back the screw out the head broke off! The big question is HOW DO I FIX THIS????

(2006maliblue) · (2006maliblue) **Join Date: Mar 2009** 12-05-2010, 2:07 PM

Looks like its time to do a little gel coat and fiberglass work! Look in the archives for Grants Gel Coat repair thread! Everything you need will be in that thread!

(brit_rider) · (brit_rider) **Join Date: May 2004** 12-05-2010, 2:39 PM

This is fixable but you need to remove the screw and drill a nice fat hole asap to stop the damage spreading.

You'll then need to fill the hole and gel it.

Have you got any other nicks or dings on the boat elsewhere? May as well turn this into a winter project and get the boat looking perfect for spring

(ship_of_fools) · (ship_of_fools) **Join Date: Sep 2007** 12-05-2010, 4:53 PM

That sucks, hindsight is always 20/20.

With the head of the screw broke off, can you grab what is left with a pair of vice grips and turn it out?

Sorry for your misfortune..

(corbin) · (corbin) **Join Date: Jul 2009** 12-05-2010, 5:30 PM

Got the screw out. Now I have a 3/16" hole all the way though to the deck under the dash. I searched the archives and found Grant's post on gel repair. Is there anything I should think about considering the hole is all the way though the hull? Should I just mix up some fiberglass resin and fill the hole up and let it mushroom over up top a bit? Then go back under neath and do the repair as Grant suggests as if it is just a chip?

I do have two other spots on the hull that chipped so I'll tackle them too.

thanks for all of the help.

(srock) · (srock) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 12-05-2010, 6:05 PM

just throw a tire plug into it

(brit_rider) · (brit_rider) **Join Date: May 2004** 12-06-2010, 1:48 AM

Corbin - Yup.

Personally I'd use a product like kitty hair:
http://www.autobodytoolmart.com/ever...9-p-14367.aspx

Grind the hole out so there will be plenty to purchase on and then undertake grants gel coat repair tips...

(Jeff) · (Jeff) **Join Date: May 2010** 12-06-2010, 11:38 AM

Can someone post a link to Grant's gelcoat repair thread? I can't find it.

(guido) · (guido) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 12-06-2010, 12:35 PM

Oh no..... I bet you had just about the worst feeling in the world when you looked under the boat. Good luck with the repair. At least it's under the boat. Shouldn't be too big a deal to repair correctly.

(kgd) · (kgd) **Join Date: Jun 2002** 12-06-2010, 3:50 PM

You might want to look into MarineTex to repair the hole then use Gel coat to finish the surface.

(mikeski) · (mikeski) **Join Date: Aug 2003** 12-06-2010, 10:08 PM

Step 1. Fill the hole with marine grade epoxy from the inside, tape the bottom after it starts to run through so you know that completely fills the hole.
Step 2. Remove all loose gelcoat flakes, chase them out with a grinder.
Step 3. Bondo or kitty hair the surface until it's smooth
Step 4. Apply the color matched gelcoat from spectrum
Step 5. Finish sand and polish the repaired gelcoat
Step 6. Pat yourself on the back for fixing your own goof-up

(corbin) · (corbin) **Join Date: Jul 2009** 12-07-2010, 7:17 AM

Thanks a ton everyone. I have certainly learned a valuable lesson!