I NEED HELP!!!! Please read!?

Question

I installed a bilge pump in a boat that I'm restoring and I went to s***w it in the boat and I used a s***w that was too long...

The two screws went right through the hull of the boat and I'm so angry at myself.

I don't know too much about boats, but if anyone has suggestions on how to fix this, let me know! My husband mentioned using marine epoxy, but I don't know how that's going to hold and if it will be as durable as the fiberglass once was.

The s***w is not huge, but there's a hole in the hull nonetheless. Please HELP!

Thanks!

Answer 1

Clean up hole on outside of hull & use some Marine-tex available at marina's or on line from West Marine Supply...Follow instructions ...resulting in a flush patch almost invisible especially below waterline. .For mounting things in bilge or hull it is best to glass in a plywood ( marine  plywood best possible,) mounting board. Thus screws go in wood, not hull.

Answer 2

Sand down with fine grit wet/dry sandpaper the exterior of where the screws went through.  

Then apply epoxy in the holes and back up the interior with some Fiberglas matting.

that is all there is to it.

Answer 3

fibreglass is the best way too do it .you should get a syringe to fill the holes with epoxy resin. then sand the out side of the hole so the fibreglass cloth can be laid then re sand & use a gel coat repair kit  & you should be fine. or you can use marine tex if the holes are small.this product works well for fast but long lasting repairs.

Answer 4

I suggest a simple fiberglass patch on both sides!

Answer 5

apply a few coats of "Marine Tex" 2-part epoxy around the screws on the bottom of the hull (cut them flush first), next time take a small  thin piece of wood, use marine tex to hold the wood down on the floor, then s***w the bilge pump into that, keep the wood thin and small so the bilge "Pick up" screen is close to the floor.

Answer 6

This happens all the time, just look under a bunch of older boats that are on trailers. What works well, and is pretty much an industry standard on the very thing. First cut the s***w off flush with the bottom of the boat, the lightly sand a area about the size of a quarter around the s***w, then clean with acitone, or laquer thinner, let dry, then apply some morine apoxy, let dry overnight, then sand out feathering the edges. it will be as good as new.

Answer 7

take the screws out and use nuts and bolts, with washers, and make sure they are  STAINLESS ones too!

Plus use the marine goop and stuff.

Isn`t your husband mechanical at all?

Answer 8

Easy and simple, just get a product called flowcoat from your local marine shop.  I would tape up the underside hole and just pour some in (after its mixed with the catalyst) from the top.  Wait till dry sand if you want.

You can add colour to it if you realy concerned if not it will be clear, and it will be strong a h**l.

i always use silaflex to hold down my bilges never had an issue, just make sure the surfaces are clean, no need to s***w then.

Answer 9

You're welcome on my boat anytime..

3M 5200 would be the easiest  remedy...

Answer 10

There are some very good answers there, so I wont try to add, but speaking for myself, if my wife took any interest in my boat and tried to do something, I would be very pleased.

Even if it didnt turn out right so please dont beat up on yourself, that sort of thing happens all the time and your hysband is a lucky man to have someone to share a hobby with.