Fiberglass Repair

[Russf]

Before I call around I thought that I would get the advice of the forum. I am considering the purchase of a 2001 trawler that at one time had a dinghy crane on roof of the fiberglass pilothouse. The crane was removed but it looks like an amateur repaired the holes in the white nonskid fiberglass. I believe that about half of the roof needs to be repaired. Can someone tell me what is involved in doing a first class repair where the nonskid matches up with the undamaged half, colors match and son on. Perhaps to get a good match the entire roof has to be redone.

Thanks.

 

[FF]

A rather inexpensive core material like Nadia core will work fine for a roof top.

THe technique is to lay up the roof on one side only , on any flat surface (cover with plastic.

Then after 3 days when modestly cured turn it over and use whatefer you have as spacers to curve the roof to the camber required.

Usually a heavy plank in the center and two side planks will give a nice smooth curve.

THe outside layers are then laid up , and when hard , taken out to cure better in the sun.

2lbs per sq ft is doable but 2.5 is easier for a first time glasser as there may be some errors.

Friends and beer can get it lifted down the dock and up into place.

FF

 

[Russf]

Thanks FF. That was helpfull.

 

[FF]

The main concept is that patching and matching takes great skills, as our eyes find visual "flaws" very well.

New construction is easy and cheap , after all most of the folks that actually built most boats GRP parts were trained in an hour.

FF

 

[skipperdude]

I concur with FF on this one.*
*I have seen fiberglass repair guys fiddle for hours to get a good match on gell coat. A little red a little black some green. Just to get the color to match on a boat that has had a few years of sun and salt on the gell coat. (This was on a white boat) If you want it all to match as new.**Hire as pro.**If not, You will always notice it, where others may not.

SD