How to Make Fiberglass Repairs

Identify Fiberglass Repairs

We had a leak around our mast and figured we had to make fiberglass repairs. It was believed the original leak was due to the through bolting of the belaying pin rack. We removed it and during the refit and had the deck fiberglassed to cover the holes that were through bolted. Deb and I thought the problem was fixed but after a good rain, it still leaked through the holes that were in the lower skin of fiberglass

What we noticed is that the water was running down the deck and hitting the mast collar, which would allow it to go below the top layer of fiberglass on the deck and go out the point of least resistance which was the existing hold below from the previous through bolting.

From that we determined that this was more of a fabrication than a repair but it had to be blended into the deck in the fashion of a repair. We decided to create a lip that went from the horizontal deck surface up the sides of the collar base to ensure there was no longer that space for water to get between the collar and the deck.

Making the Fiberglass Repair

This week we complete the fiberglass work around the mast. In last weeks episode. we showed what the repair was, identified the steps to prep for the job, filled some of the wood with thickened epoxy and created the shape needed to lay the new glass from the deck up onto the mast step.

Finishing the Fiberglass Repair

When cured, we also showed how to clean up the jagged edges from a raw fiberglass layup. This is a practical how-to for any do it yourself on a boat. We all have some tasks that we can likely tackle on our own with a bit of persistence and patience. See the step by step guide process here and in the first video (Part 1 is located Here )

Additional Insulation testing

In addition to the deck work, we check to see how well the repair is keeping it dry down below (yay!!). We also show how we are testing insulation options for the condensation issue when living aboard in colder weather.

Lastly, we show a ceiling (overhead) option we are considering for the staterooms and interior.

Keywords: How to Fiberglass, How to Epoxy, Epoxy or Poly, Leaking around the mast, Insulating the hull, how to reduce condensation on a boat, how to replace the ceiling in a boat.


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