Repairing a Gouge

[TAZ68]

Unfortunately it’s a big one. I have a wooden motor boat with an outboard mounted in a well. It wasn’t locked when I went to back it off the trailer and the prop took a few chunks out of the hull. And a screw was damaged. The gouge is about 4” x 4” and 1 1/2” deep. I can do all the basic maintenance but have not had to do work on the hull. What tools do I need and any advice on repairing would be appreciated. Thanks

[Jay Greer]

Believe it or not, it the hull is not holed or structurally weakened, you can do amazing repairs with micro balloons and epoxy resin. Other wise you will be into some repairs that may require a bit of cosmetic surgery.
Jay

[Peerie Maa]

Can you post a photo, they always help.

[Thorne]

Another alternative is an epoxy-based fairing compound -- just easier than mixing your own as Jay recommends above.

The only one I've used is Smith's Fill-It, worked very well and sanded nicely. Get the small size set to fill the gouge you mention.
http://www.smithandcompany.org/Fillit/index.html

[outofthenorm]

A picture would be good, but for a gouge that big, I'd be thinking about fitting a dutchman rather than just slathering on goop.

There's a decent series of pages on the technique here How to fit a dutchman (http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/how-to/step/0,,20052843,00.html). It's aimed at fixing a rotten windowsill on a house, but the technique is exactly the same: clean up the hole, shape a piece of similar material to fit reasonably close, glue it in with thickened epoxy, then finish to shape. There's a tools and materials list provided.

- Norm

[Lew Barrett]

I thought Dutchman too, Norm.

[TAZ68]

Thanks everyone for your input! I will let you know how it goes. I like the idea of the dutchman. Here is a link to the photos. She's a Handy Billy built (Pat Cassidy) and launched on the Vineyard in 2001.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38391944@N07/

[Lew Barrett]

Great boat! Having looked, I think Dutchman is the right answer for this damage.

[TAZ68]

Much better! Thanks.