Fiberglass Hull Repair: Easy Fix for Thru Hull Holes

Fiberglass Hull Repair: Easy Fix for Thru Hull Holes
If you're facing a thru hull hole in your fiberglass hull, worry no more! In this concise yet informative video, we'll guide you through the process of easily fixing a thru hull hole using a fiberglass patch.
Join us as we walk you through the step-by-step instructions for this repair. Gather your materials, including resin, hardener, acetone, fiberglass mat, an angle grinder, flap sanding discs, disposable paint brushes, and an oscillating sander.
Watch closely as we demonstrate the proper technique to ensure a seamless and long-lasting repair. From preparing the surface and removing any damaged material to applying the fiberglass patch and finishing touches, every essential detail is covered.
This video is a valuable resource for boat owners, DIY enthusiasts, or anyone looking to learn fiberglass hull repair techniques. By following our expert guidance, you can restore the integrity of your hull and get back on the water with confidence.
Subscribe to our channel for more insightful tutorials and expert tips on boat repairs and maintenance. Don't let a thru hull hole dampen your boating experience-hit that play button and discover how to easily fix it with a fiberglass patch. Get ready to sail smoothly once again!
How to fiberglass repair
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[@Steve-bm4xi]

Easy to follow instructions for basic fiberglass repair. Thank you for posting for us "novice folks" who love DIY repairs.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Thanks for the positive feedback. Best of luck with your repair

[@user-jm6jf6nt4v]

thanks for the great video and all the precautions need for a fiberglass job

[@forestchicken3302]

I found a boat in a pond in the woods carried it a mile and im going to try to make it useable again. Great video.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Good luck!

[@triwizardyt182]

I just got a boat for free from my stepbrother that has a hole somewhere on it I gotta find so this video has been very helpful thank you very much

[@FranDeVita]

Thank you for this. It made the daunting task of fixing a whole in my hull seem much more achievable.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

I have some additional fiberglass videos. Including how to fix small holes. www.diyeasycrafts.com/carolina-skiff-project-boat.html

[@n0tryd014]

Terrific video! My son purchased a jetski which requires a repair to the bottom and this video is exactly what I was looking for. I've done some car bodywork so I already have all the tools for the job. I can't wait to apply those and this video to our "new" jetski! Thank you.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

You're welcome!

[@DoingItCheap]

You earned a new subscriber ! I do all my own stuff too. Bought a jet ski for my son 20 years ago with a chunk of gel coat missing under the bow. It is still sitting here waiting to be repaired. Your multi layer patch is genius ! NOW I know how to fix this thing !! It was supposed to be a father/son project................then he discovered girls. LOL !!

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Thanks for the sub!

[@jdlft.w836]

This is the best i have seen on fiberglass repair. Full of great to the point information. I have been watching a lot of YT videos on fiberglass repair. Thanks.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Wow that is quite a compliment. Glad to be of assistance and best of luck with your project

[@goose31171]

Thank you for the video, I am actually about to fix a much smaller hole on my 20 sea craft. I do not have access from the top of the hull so I will be doing the repair from under only. You gave me confidence that it can be done strong enough from just one side of the hull. Thank you!

[@joaquimfontenelle4068]

Very good explanation, it gives / passes confidence to somebody that needs a push to a diy fiberglass repair ! Congratulations and thanks for sharing !

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Thank you very much!

[@Fishingwithsid]

Really good video brotha. Thank you thank you 🙏🏾

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Donorcyclist]

Nice work! Thank you for sharing this!

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@denjhill]

Good video, but I think you should have placed the patch with multiple layers with the smallest diameter down first. The largest piece being on the top caps off the smaller pieces and makes finishing smooth much easier.

[@provinitrades]

Great video, very nice narration, lot of knowledge in. Thanks, feeling as professional now 😂😂

[@aj.roseby4695]

Should of shown the roller in action its the most important part of the process and gives a smashing bond.

[@shanerast8452]

Great video, if I would add one other step it would be to do the same on the inside to remove any sharp spots.

[@BonFShaw]

Gelcoat over epoxy?

[@makingcookingfixing]

Thank you, it was very helpful. I'm looking into buying an older boat, and I might want to do some modifications in fibreglass. thanks

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@whmmorgan68]

Thank you! Great video. Appreciated.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@martinlacey4575]

Best video ever ; my pulpit stanchions raised/leaky due to opposing forces from pushpit of stern, should it be underneath i do the patch ? or both sides ? ?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Thank you. Without seeing a photo its hard to say. I would probably patch from both sides

[@jonathanguillaumat4979]

Great Video! Thanks for sharing! May I ask if you had projects where there were soft spots on the hull? If yes, did you fix it by cutting/removing the soft spot area and applying the same method?

[@mohammedekram3024]

Thanks for the video. Would be nice if you list all products you used.

[@brandonwilliams1720]

When you did your first set of layers did you use wax in the resin?

[@thongyiewkhong8542]

do you use epoxy resin or polysters resin?

[@toupsclassroomtoupsclassro9557]

question: is that structural fiberglass? I would have thought you would have to use matt fiberglass just curious thanks

[@joecastanedez2190]

Cold shower tip made your advice that more legit… THANKS!!

[@DIYeasycrafts]

it helps!!

[@serviceproper]

How long did you let the fiberglass dry before sanding it down again?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

That really has to do with temperature, amount of hardner and exposure to sun. You should be safe if you wait overnight. You can usually tell by touch. If the resin is hard its ready to sand.

[@cjkersh]

Thank you great work, very helpful.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jessejames1395]

What kit and or brand did you use for the repair please

[@dkenworthy2036]

I am going to fix my wife's dingy after watching this thanks very much

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Best of luck

[@michaelinkster4977]

Great video!

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@paulgreene1277]

I was removing a soft floor and the angle grinder went through a spot i wasnt aware that was the hull itself. Could a little slit like that just be filled with resin and gell coat?

[@1122ss]

groynd away , my friend

[@krystopherthomas6946]

Do you have any advice on painting afterwards, I have a 94 ski centurion with a couple places I need to repair and I would like to try and match it but it doesn't have to be perfect. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

[@hellapellanyc6465]

Hi is the taper really necessary?

[@regwatson2017]

I don't understand why a lot of small pieces before the final full-sized long piece is better than say five full-sized long pieces ? Wouldn't (after the repair is done) and you put weight on that area the weight be spread better if the pieces are larger ? I'm sure you are right but can you explain why ?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

for a repair like this I prefer to use smaller pcs to fill the void. If I draped a large pce over the entire hole it might leave an air space. In addition using only larger pcs would end up with a very thick repair on the outside edge that would have to be ground smooth. Bottom line Im sure it would work both ways im just trying to justify my prefered technique LOL

[@regwatson2017]

​@@DIYeasycrafts Many thanks for the info !

[@tubular2006]

Very helpful. Can I ask, what type of paint would you apply after the gel coat step if you want to get an approximate color match with rest of the boat bottom? Thanks.

[@bluetumblr]

THANK YOU good sir.

[@DIYeasycrafts]

You are very welcome

[@brandond6724]

How quickly does this resin dry before it can be sanded and worked?

[@MarksWorldofEngravingandMore]

Well your repair is better than the last video I watched on this subject , but still wrong. You should alternate each layer of matt with a layer of cloth or roving. Then you should have flipped the boat over and filled half the depth from the outside to form a sandwich repair again alternating matt and cloth. Or got under the boat and did it. I've done repairs like this up to three feet long. if you need a backer to glass to, it can be made by putting some pva on a sheet of plexi and laminating a few layers and then cutting out using a template of the hole. Finish it off with a final couple coats of gelcoat to seal it all up.

[@hamptons2945]

where is your video please I have looked on your channel but its not there

[@MrAndrewClaycomb]

Gelcoat is polyester based, and shouldn’t be placed on top of an epoxy based resin. He would have been better off using an epoxy based fairing compound and after getting it smooth, just painting over it. In the end, this is a small boat with minimal stresses, so it’s probably fine, but this wouldn’t fly on a larger boat.

[@hawaiidogs9277]

Ty

[@jaytindell9860]

What kind of boat is that is it a 70’s Salem skiff?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Its a 13' Del Quay Dory. Very similar in design to a whaller

[@cdb5]

Do you have a list of items you used?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Cleaned with acetone, I used flap sanding wheels and a disc grinder, paint brushes, fiberglass resin and mat

[@paddyofurniture3988]

Did you light sand the gel coat before paint?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Best to light sand and then wipe with acetone before gelcoat

[@mikeleemaggatyahoo]

What is the make of that boat?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

It a Dell Quay Dory

[@MrOpenSeseme]

Nice

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Thanks

[@user-gg2os7jd7w]

gravity is YOUR friend.....challenge to to THIS from bottom looking UP...(smile)

[@DIYeasycrafts]

I actually have done it. Only trick is after grinding to get the first layer. You can use parchment paper and a pc of wood to hold the first layer up. Once that is dry remove the parchment , Grind and then go layer by layer

[@johncartelli]

this is wrong!....you were correct when using a slightly larger pcs of glass but when you made the first patch you reversed the order of size and put the larger one down first. this makes each layer rely on the only one touching the hull to stay on the boat. if the first larger layer ever failed everything would come off. your 2nd patch was correct with the smaller one going against the hull first. this allowed each layer to come into contact with the hull and makes each layer non reliant on the previous one to stay onto the hull.

[@curtbrown9702]

Let me know if you sell the boat. I want to be far away. And broke.

[@todddunn945]

Watch this video if you want to see a similar repair done right - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aonSlnqMZ7CbfcU

[@HuntingOldYella]

You are supposed to fill big too small

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Not quite sure what you are talking about. This is a through hole repair. You want to flair the hole then patch the entire void.

[@MarksWorldofEngravingandMore]

@@DIYeasycrafts Michael Binns obviously has never done professional fiberglass repairs. Always start with small laminates and cover with larger laminates as you fill up the taper youve ground in.

[@bobbeckstead8340]

Wrong! The first layer of fg is the LARGEST followed by progressively smaller layers to build up. That way the repair has maximal bonding strength to the hull. Your repair is weaker.

[@MarkDoc]

That isn't true! there are many ways to skin a cat! your way works, this way works better in other peoples opinion, starting smaller means every layer makes contact with the surrounding area!

[@bobbeckstead8340]

@@MarkDoc Learn physics.

[@MarksWorldofEngravingandMore]

@@bobbeckstead8340 your wrong dude, The smaller pieces go in first and then the larger building out. The layers should be alternated between matt cloth and or roving. Do half the thickness on the inside and then the other half should be outside to make a sandwich repair. I always use a small roller to apply the resin and an air roller to roll out the air. It all needs to be cleaned with acetone. Believe me I've done a large amount of boat building and boat repair.

[@bobbeckstead8340]

@@MarksWorldofEngravingandMore Sorry, "Dude" - you don't know what you're talking about.

[@glassdave]

Bob you are 100% correct in that the largest piece is put down first. The reason this is done is to maintain the longest possible laminate continuity through the scope of the repair. When you do smallest to largest you end up with resin rich pockets at the transitions of each layer and if there is any surface grinding necessary (which there will be) you run the risk of shearing the fibers at each overlap. I will add this should also be done with vinylester if available. In this particular repair ive seen comments that a woven fabric should be added to the stack but this is a small Whaler, if im not mistaken its all chop with a foam filled core, you can get away with csm throughout repair. What your after with any repair is maintaining its original structure whatever that might be, strive for no hard thick spots. Im sure the repair as shown will float but it is still an amateur repair at best. I will also say this, as long as i have been in this biz (35 years) im sure and equally plausible argument can be made for either method but this is the one i prefer. Every repair is going to be different and you have to learn to tailor your skills and knowledge to accommodate them all.

[@richardbodenhamer2112]

Bondo resin is all wrong !

[@DIYeasycrafts]

The bondo used is fiberglass based

[@nickhulsing9764]

How long do you wait to do the first sanding?

[@DIYeasycrafts]

Just until its dry