how to repair rotted wood in a fiberglass boat

10 Ways on How to Repair Rotted Wood in a Fiberglass Boat:

1. Compounding:. This is a 2-part epoxy and requires at least 24 hours to cure. It’s helpful if the wood was sealed...
2. Replacement:. Cut out the rotted area and replace it with a new piece of wood, fiberglass over the lines as normal,...
3. Scrapers:. Cut the wood away to the solid surface and add a veneer of...

Full Answer

Can you repair a rotten fiberglass boat?

Before making any repairs to the fiberglass, you’ll need to take out this rotten wood and replace it. What seems like a small repair, in the beginning, can often end up being an extensive repair. If you don’t believe me, just look at all the free “project boats” listed on Craigslist.

What causes wood to rot on a boat?

When Wood Rot gets a gets into your boat timbers not only does the rotten wood need to be cut out but the surrounding timber needs treating to kill off the spores. There are two main types of rot that infect wooden boats. Both are caused by fungi growing within the wood tissue. Types of Rot.

What should I do if my boat floor is rotting?

Check out boat flooring on Amazon. If you spot a rotting boat floor, you need to take action by scrubbing it down. The likely cause of the rotting is mold from the dampness of the boat, so the mold must be cleaned as thoroughly as possible to stop it from spreading to healthy flooring.

How to repair a hole in a boat hull?

To repair a hole in the hull, you may need to get some new core material. Try to match the new core material with the existing core material. Make sure the remaining core material is dry. Once you have the core material, you’ll need to fit it into the hole. Next, measure and cut your fiberglass cloth.

How do you fix rotted wood in fiberglass?

0:286:09Repairing Rotten Wood With Fiberglass Resin. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFoam okay just also about a half inch deep at the at the most then we're going to take bondo andMoreFoam okay just also about a half inch deep at the at the most then we're going to take bondo and fill it back in and make it smooth. And i'll repair this damaged wood make it look good again.

How do you fix rotted wood without replacing it?

Wood fillers are products such as Bondo and Minwax that are designed to be all-purpose fillers for gaps, holes, and rotted wood. Their application is simple, they cure quickly, and they're not supposed to shrink once dry.

Can you fiberglass over rotten wood?

Things You'll Need Fiberglass is a non corrosive waterproof material, that's fairly easy to work with. For reinforcement, two to three layers of fiberglass mat is applied and saturated with the resin. The mat will form and bond to the wood, creating a protective layer over the wood.

How do you repair a rotten stringer on a boat?

To replace your stringers, follow this simple seven-step method:Prepare the surfaces. All surfaces should be clean, dry and sanded. ... Mark the area. ... Remove the damaged stringer. ... Make the core. ... Sand the surfaces. ... Bond the core. ... Finishing.

What is the best filler for rotted wood?

Use a polyester filler to rebuild rotted or damaged wood. You can mold and shape it to match the original wood profile. It takes paint well and won't rot.

How do you fill holes in rotten wood?

1:033:43How to Repair a Hole From Wood Rot, Fixing a Damaged 2X Framing ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI started with fiberglass resin mixing in the appropriate. Amount of hardener. I then added theMoreI started with fiberglass resin mixing in the appropriate. Amount of hardener. I then added the resin into the hole. Now the concept. Here is the thin liquid resin would work its way into any cracks.

How do you fix wood rot on a boat?

2:358:21How to boat restoration : Repairing rotten wood on a bow of GP14 DinghyYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe've also drilled a few holes in the in existing wood so that we can pump that full of epoxy bit ofMoreWe've also drilled a few holes in the in existing wood so that we can pump that full of epoxy bit of resin just to stiffen up that old piece of wood up there and give it some structure.

How do you repair a rotted boat floor?

0:099:39Repairing rotted boat floor (part 2) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipDown quite a bit before cutting the floor with the circular. Saw my main concern was to make sure weMoreDown quite a bit before cutting the floor with the circular. Saw my main concern was to make sure we had enough space between the surface of the floor. And the top of the solid core hull.

Why do boat stringers rot?

In contrast, stringers on fiberglass boats are generally wood encapsulated in epoxy and fiberglass. Even if you can keep water from penetrating your boat's stringers and frame system time, stress and water penetration can cause a stringer to rot.

How do you replace wood on a boat?

1:184:16WOODEN BOAT REPAIR TIPS - GP14 Renovation, Wood Rot ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can cut that out and with modern epoxy adhesives. The very simple scarf joint like that veryMoreYou can cut that out and with modern epoxy adhesives. The very simple scarf joint like that very easy to make the rough of the better will glue up with epoxy.

How do you fix a soft floor in a boat?

If the problem is due to fiberglass weakening, you'll want to sand the affected area until the soft spot is noticeably lower than the surrounding area. In fact, in certain spots, you might sand all the way through the fiberglass.

Can you fix a rotten transom?

Treat any wood left inside with CPES™. Cut new wood and treat with CPES™ and insert into transom, clamp/epoxy-glue it to the back of the transom, fill in all gaps with either the Fill-It™ epoxy filler or a putty-mix of the L&L Resin™, and then re-glass the inside. It's real work.

How to repair a hole in a boat hull?

To repair a hole in the hull, you may need to get some new core material. Try to match the new core material with the existing core material. Make sure the remaining core material is dry.

How thick is fiberglass for repairs?

For professional repairs of ocean-going hulls, the surrounding fiberglass is ground back on a slope of 1:12 to make a large area to be repaired; a 1/2″ thick fiberglass structure would be ground back 6″ in every direction from the hole.

What are the different types of fiberglass cloths?

Some of these cloths include chopped strand mat, biaxial mat cloth, woven roving cloth, continuous roving cloth, carbon fiber cloths, and the list goes on and on.

What is the core material of a boat?

The core material is just the material that is encapsulated by the fiberglass cloth and resin. Core material on boats is usually balsam wood or a foam core. However, almost any material can become a core material.

What is the purpose of a fiberglass mat?

The fiberglass fabrics will be your main structural material, but you may end up using a fiberglass mat to help you work around turns and to help waterproof low-stress areas like the live wells. With these fabrics, you’ll also have different weights.

What is fiberglass used for?

Fiberglass Basics You Should Know. Fiberglass is a wonderful material that can be used to repair all sorts of things. Learn how to work with fiberglass, and you can repair boats, vehicles, bathtubs, and many other items. You can even learn to create your own parts, canoes, and even coolers. An entire lifetime could be spent learning how ...

How long does it take to paint fiberglass?

The way you’ll do this is you’ll mix up a small amount of resin that you can successfully paint on over the fiberglass within about 15 to 20 minutes. This is about how much time you’ll have before the resin begins to dry and harden.

What causes rotten wood on a boat?

There are two main types of rot that infect wooden boats. Both are caused by fungi growing within the wood tissue.

Why can archaeologists find the remains of ancient wooden boats?

The reason archaeologists can find extensive remains of ancient wooden boat is because the fungi has been unable to thrive. It may have been that the timber has been lying in silt which has reduced the oxygen supply or the water temperature has been too low.

Why does wood rot?

Dry rot; occurs when the unprotected timber has repeatedly been wetted and then dried out. However, the wood won’t rot just because it is wet but because the rot fungi have the ideal conditions in which to grow. They need moisture, oxygen, stable temperature ...

What to use to kill fungus in wood?

The infection can exist well beyond the obviously rotten area. To treat this you will need a fungicide, a toxic substance to kill any fungi that may still be in the wood. There are ready made products available. Just check that they kill the fungi and are not just preventative.

Can rot be spread by salt water?

Boats are particularly vulnerable to both types of rot because of the damp environment, though salty water does go some way to slowing it down.

Can you replace rotten wood with new wood?

If the worst has come to the worst and you have found some wood rot there is only one cure, cut it out and replace it with new wood. Don’t be tempted by the products that promise to restore rotten wood, they cannot rebuild the damaged structure and therefore the strength, of the timber.

Is it safe to work on a boat with rot?

Safety. Apart form the dangers associated with fungicides and other nasty chemical s anyone working on a boat with severe rot should also be aware of the dangers from breathing in bacteria. A boat that has been closed up for a long time should be well ventilated before beginning work.

How to remove rotten core?

Carefully pry off the skin and use a sharp chisel to remove rotten or delaminated core. You’ll want to keep going until you are into solid core. If the area is still wet, allow to dry. Acetone can help drive moisture out in a pinch, but remember to wear latex gloves. Now cut and dry fit the replacement core.

How to tell if water has gotten in a drill?

Drilling will definitely show you if water has gotten in, and if you see rot on the tip of the drill, carefully drilling more holes will show you the extent of the damage. Using a marker, note which test holes contain problems. Exposed Rotten core with test holes showing the extent of the damage. You’ll need to keep the area dry while you repair ...

How long does epoxy take to set?

Epoxy will set up in roughly ten to fifteen minutes depending on air temperature and which hardener you choose, so you’ll have to work fairly quickly.

Can you epoxy in a new core?

You are now ready to epoxy in the new core. Before you epoxy here are a few tips for staging your materials, and techniques for epoxying that will help make this go smoothly: Have an adequate supply of latex gloves, disposable quart containers, foam brushes, stirrers and acetone.

Tips for Dealing with Wood

Although wood has a long history in marine use—perhaps longer than any other substance mankind has used—wood is also unique as boats go. It’s not like plastic, aluminum, or fiberglass. It’s an organic material that has its own set of characteristics. That’s why you’ll want to keep the following tips in mind:

How to Handle Dry Rot

Dry rotted wood can be strengthened when you use a liquid epoxy to saturate the wood fibers and help restore strength. A product like the Git-Rot Kit can be used to saturate these fibers via capillary action. The key? You have to make sure the wood is dry first, which means that your repairs will require some forethought and planning.

Find The Right Products

Let’s start with the materials. If you aren’t using the right materials to address specific problems with your wood, then your restoration and repair efforts will cause more headaches than they’re worth. Here are a few key wood boat repair products you should know about:

For Your Other Boat Maintenance Needs

Want more tips and products for handling boat repair? Then visit all of the available boating products here at BoatLIFE to find the match for your specific needs.

What happens if a boat floor rots?

The boat floor is arguably the most important part of your boat. If it rots, it can spread to the rest of the boat and create a terrible, dangerous mess. There are ways that you can repair a rotting boat floor, but doing so may make the problem worse if you don’t know how.

What is the best way to fix a boat floor?

4. Using the Wrong Materials. The best thing you can do when fixing a boat floor is to use epoxy. You do need to make sure that you use an epoxy that is waterproof. Ones that come in two parts are also stronger and preferred. Keep in mind that they do make marine grade epoxy, which should always be your first choice.

Why is my boat rotting?

The likely cause of the rotting is mold from the dampness of the boat, so the mold must be cleaned as thoroughly as possible to stop it from spreading to healthy flooring. 2. Leaving Rot Behind. After you have cleaned the area, you will want to remove all of the damaged wood.

Why is the boat floor not meant to have nails?

A boat floor is not meant to have nails in it and doing so weakens the structure. It also creates spaces where water can get deeper into the boat, the floor, and other areas.

Can you repair rotten wood on a boat?

You cannot repair the boat floor while rotten wood remains as it will only continue to rot. Once you are confident that the rotten sections have been removed, you can start to repair the floor as needed. If you have the means and resources to remove a piece of the boat floor and replace it then that is the best thing you can do for the boat.

Can you replace rotten floor?

Replacing a piece of rotting floor is the best course of action because there is no telling how bad the rotting is as it could have spread to other places not immediately visible; however, if you have no choice but to patch the rotten section, it is better to do so from under the floor (if possible).