BoatworksToday · video

What this video covers

Andy repairs five through-hull openings in a boat hull by grinding a double-bevel taper into the fiberglass, extending three inches from the hole edge to ensure a strong bond.1:03 He applies three layers of 1708 fiberglass cloth to both the interior and exterior sides of each opening.2:34 To prevent air pockets around the perimeter of the patches, he fills the shallow gaps with epoxy thickened with silica to a peanut butter consistency before applying the final glass layers.7:43 He replaces original plywood bulkheads with 1/2-inch Coosa nautical foam panels, reinforced with three layers of 1708 fiberglass on each side to achieve a final 3/4-inch thickness.12:41 After fairing the keel to 98% flatness, he dry-fits the new sole panels and bulkheads, achieving a precise fit against the hull and deck supports.15:29 Proper tapering and ensuring glass-to-glass contact are essential for structural integrity when patching through-hulls below the waterline.5:16

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