My 16' Carolina Skiff, water got into my hull. Drained water, but how get the bottom to stick back to to hull

Question

I have little background with fiberglassing and foaming, but after research, I'm afraid I might have a delamination problem. Can anyone help me with this.

Ok, so here's all the details. I recently purchased this boat. I noticed a small repaired hole on the bottom of the boat. I think during my first couple times of use, the poorly repaired whole began to allow water into my hull. I did not notice this problem until after a couple of uses. I noticed a bubbled look on the bottom of my boat. I pushed on this bubbled area and learned there was water in my hull. I have drilled a few small holes and drained out the water. After a little research, I hear delamination is a common problem with hull water and fiberglass. I'm not sure if I have this problem. It seems to me that if I could get the bottom panel of my hull to simply re-adhere to the stringers and foam fill, I'd be fine. I can push it back up and then it feels solid, but I need it to stay up. Can I squirt epoxy in the wholes?

Answer 1

frank is very very right.   you have to remove the deck, then remove the foam...remove and replace any rotted wood.  you can purchase 2 part foam that is closed cell (doesnt absorb water) and pour it into the bottom...shave it down so that the bottom of the deck wont hit it, and glass the floor back down...if you need more details please email me

Answer 2

I see no other option if you want to do this right than to gut it all out, repair the hull from the inside out, roughen up the fibers and glue in a new stringer and floor, some layers of fibers and it ll last for another 25 years, do not replace the foam under the floor as it absorb water over some years already and start new rot. Some use swim noodles, less cost and ventilate better

Use eighter polyester or Epoxy but be aware that you can use epoxy on polyester but not polyester on epoxy!

Use exterior (marine) plywood, not pressure threated! and (douglas fir) for stringer.

I dont think that you can repair it the way it is now as it is way to humid and never hold. I bet that the stringers have rot and they will never dry out and unrot, they will never glue back to the hull and so leaving the hull flexible.

Frank

Answer 3

If what your saying is correct you have real problems> Take to a fiberglass shop and ask them as trying to help here with out seeing the problem would be quite difficult>