Fiberglass Boat Repair: Learn the Basics

Fiberglass boats are vulnerable to certain sorts of damage. Fiberglass hulls can dent, crack and splinter in a collision with rocky shores, underwater obstacles, even a wooden dock. With age, fiberglass halls will form small cracks that can let moisture into the boat, even without a collision. Another common complaint is the blisters that can appear in the fiberglass; although these do not affect the seaworthiness of a boat, they are unsightly, and many owners find them distressing.

Most fiberglass boat repair involves using an epoxy or polyester resin to repair and seal cracks, and reconstructing larger areas of damage with fiberglass cloth or foam. The repaired area is then repainted and/or covered with several coats of polyurethane. The basic process consists of the following steps.

The damaged area must be sanded, beginning with coarser sandpaper, and finishing with a fine grain. Always wear a respirator when working with any form of fiberglass; the fine strands of glass can cause serious and permanent lung damage if inhaled.

Next, the damage is overlaid with fiberglass cloth or foam, if more than small cracks are involved. Cloth is good for larger cracks or holes. Foam will be needed to rebuild an area if the hull must be shaped or is severely dented.

The epoxy or resin used in fiberglass boat repair functions as an adhesive and sealant. Both are messy, but in addition, resin has strong fumes, is more difficult to work with, and does not adhere as well to non-fiberglass surfaces. It is, however, much less expensive.

After the epoxy has set, the repair must be sanded smooth and painted with a marine paint. Polyurethane may also be used on the hull when making a fiberglass boat repair. Several coats of either will be needed; follow the specific product instructions for drying time and treatment between coats.

Aluminum Boat Repair: Tips to Do it Right

Aluminum boats can suffer a variety of different sorts of damage. Most have to do with leaks and corrosion. Improperly mounted riveting often results in leaks, as will any seam that is improperly sealed or that has a damaged seal. The corrosive properties of water, especially salt water, can make the metal fragile, and will eventually eat right through the hull.

The first step in aluminum boat repair is assessing the full extent of the damage. Even if you're aware of an area of impairment, it is still a good idea to do a complete inspection of the boat, both interior and exterior, to discover any additional damage. Of course you will check for any water seeping in when you are on the water, but also pull your boat out of the water and inspect the outer shell as well.

Understand too, that some leaks can be so small they are difficult to see, or are hidden under a seam. Take note of this as you inspect, as well. You should not undertake any work, or let anyone else start making repairs, until you are satisfied the damage has been completely identified.

Next, make sure that all surfaces are properly prepared. They need to be dry and completely free of any residue from cleaners, solvents, oil, silicone grease, etc. Weak spots should be fully sanded and any friable metal removed, or the repair will be weak in the damaged area and likely give way again in the near future.

Ensure that the work that is done is of high quality. If you are going to do the work on your own, be honest with yourself about the extent of your skills and knowledge. Fully understand the problem, the solution, and the tools required before starting.

If you are hiring a professional, ask them about their experience with this particular type of repair. You may also want to request some references in order to talk to previous customers, especially those with similar boats or damage.

Finally, make sure that the work is finished properly and completely. Fully inspect all repairs before putting the boat back together, obscuring the repaired area with carpets or other items, or putting it in the water. Do this especially if the repairs are below the water line. Observe the repaired areas frequently and carefully on the first use of the boat.

Done properly, aluminum boat repairs can add years to the life of your vessel. Improperly completed repairs can result in further damage, and even a serious incident while on the water. Make sure the work is done right the first time.

Inflatable Boat Repair – Common Issues and Solutions

Inflatable boats are a very popular way for people to get out on the water for fishing, traveling, or just relaxing in the breeze. However, with these boats comes the most dreaded of concerns - the leak. For many who have boated with inflatable boats, this has been an all too common reality, being out on the water when an unexpected incident results in the inflatable boat springing a leak. Thankfully, there are some simple inflatable boat repair tips that can be utilized in case of a similar situation so you as a boater don't end up all wet.
[nms:inflatable boat,4,0,300]
[nmspage:inflatable boat]
The biggest problem with an inflatable boat is the threat of a leak, usually due to a pressure point applied within the boat or a collision with a rogue piece of debris floating in the water. In these cases, the leak may be a smaller puncture and easily dealt with. To combat these, the main option available is a quick patch method. Keeping an inflatable boat repair kit with you while boating is a good practice. If the puncture is inside or on the exposed side of the boat, apply the patch with a securing compound, and then get to shore for further repair.

Another common problem with inflatable boats is tearing along the seams. Seams can rupture, preventing the boat from retaining air completely. Again, a simple method of inflatable boat repair using a patching compound and a patch is the best bet, as the patch can create a second seal along the seam and provide an interim repair for the boat. However, if the seam is torn too much, the boat may be beyond immediate repair. In that case, more extreme resealing of the seam may be necessary.

A third common problem with inflatable boats is the loss of buoyancy over time. As time passes, and the boat's structure is worn down, the boat may not float as well or may begin to leak air slowly. In these cases, the best method of repairing the boat is to refresh the hull material. Various methods are prescribed in this case, but the typical method is to add a sealing compound similar to a tire patching compound to the inside of the boat.

As this is sprayed inside, it reinforces the inside of the boat, providing additional structural support, and sealing off slow leaks to prevent leakage. This sealant spreads around the inside of the boat, creating a second structural layer around the rubber or plastic of the boat, creating additional sealing of the boat combined with adding some buoyancy to the boat, making it an ideal inflatable boat repair for older boats.

Boat Repair – Do It Yourself Or Get Help?

The most important consideration in boat repair is what you can do yourself. Most people will tell you that it can be very expensive to actually hire someone to do the work as labor charges can be high. If you have the knowledge, you can find virtually all of the parts that you need available to you to do the repair either locally or on the web. Yet, it also takes a bit of understanding to do a good job on the repair. Some jobs are simply better for a professional with the right tools to handle. The goal, then, is to make the right decision about what boat repair you do and what you simply pay for someone else to do.

The Web Is Your Resource

[nms:boat repair,4,0,5,boating]

[nmspage:boat repair]

The web is full of most of the information that you need on boat repair. You can find all of the parts that you need here, for example. If you plan to do a repair yourself, remove the old part, locate the model number, serial numbers, the manufacturer’s name and the exact type of boat it is (usually the model number of the boat is enough.) At this point you can find virtually anything that you want available to purchase on the web. Some dealers will offer you a fair price which includes shipping charges. If you can do your own repairs, even paying shipping and handling charges is likely to be much less expensive than purchasing the labor of someone else doing it.

Even more so, you can use the web to help you to perform the boat repair, too. Some of the best websites about boat repairing actually put together a good amount of information, tutorials that will educate you and a variety of different resources to teach you to make the repair. A variety of skill will still be needed, including the right tools for the job. Yet, with the help of these services, you are sure to be able to find that type of repair that you need to do.

Take the time to consider the boat repair. Are you willing to learn how to make the repair? Can you wait for delivery of the boat part if it is necessary to have it shipped to you? Do you have a working knowledge of repair that will help you to make the right decisions and to make sure that you understand how the process works? Boat repair can be an ideal route to take when you can do the work yourself and avoid the high costs of service.

The Right Type Of Boat Cover Repair

With a good quality boat cover repair, your boat cover will not need to be replaced. Boat covers are easily damaged in severe weather, by accidents with equipment and from simply pulling too hard on them. Yet, just because these accidents happen doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t repair your boat cover and instead purchase a new one. Since they can be costly, take the time to make repairs when they happen and learn how to care for your cover overall to avoid additional problems. Boat cover repair tips can be followed here.

Taking Care Of Your Boat Cover

[nms:boat cover,4,0,200,boating]

[nmspage:boat cover]

To do a bit of boat cover repair, your best bet will be to use a patch like product. These products are ideal because they allow you to simply place a like material over the top of the cover, attach it usually with a waterproof adhesive, allow it to dry and you are done. While it may look like it has been patched, if you do it correctly, the boat cover will actually function as it should and the area should not leak. Nevertheless, many people don’t take the care they need to and wind up causing a number of problems for themselves in regards to using the boat cover later. If you don’t take care, for example, in making sure that the cover area that needs a patch is dry and clean, the adhesive won’t fit securely and there’s no benefit.

Another consideration in boat cover repair is how to avoid future problems with your cover. For example, when you place it on your boat, be careful to securely fit it, but not to stretch it until it fits. It should fit snuggly but shouldn’t be forced. Every time that it is pulled stretched or otherwise moved in this way or that; the end result is that you will find yourself with weakened spots. When not in use, make sure you fold up the cover (assuming it’s a sheet) or properly put it away. Then, you can easily take it back out when in need and avoid problems with rips and tears.

For boat cover repair, take the time necessary to make improvements on your cover as well as to repair problems before they become big problems and wind up costing you a lot of trouble later. There are a variety of different options available today that can help you to secure good repair without costing you a small fortune. Finding a qualified company to provide this protection is also important. Consider these tips for boat cover repair.

Boat Seat Repair Tips

A variety of boat seat repair tips can be found on the web to help you with making repairs to the seat of your boat. Depending on what has happened to the seat, the degree of the problem and your skill will determine if you actually need to have a professional do the work for you or if you can handle the work yourself. As with any type of repair need that you may have, it is vitally important to consider all options that are available to you. Boat seat repair can be an easy way to benefit your boat’s overall condition and it can be a good way to prolong the use of your boat over the next years.

Replace, Repair, Or Something Else?

[nms:boat repair,4,0,5,boating]

[nmspage:boat repair]

Boat seat repair is widely available through the use of many boat repair providers. You can find that they are willing to do large and small problems alike but they will likely not be able to repair all damage. In some cases, it can be more inexpensive and much more time consuming to try and repair the seats. In this case, a professional boat repair service may advice you to actually replace the seats instead of trying to repair them. This may make the process a bit more affordable as long as you get the quality, style and coloring that you want.

For small tears or pinholes, you may be able to do the boat seat repair yourself. This will require a number of different things including the use of patch materials that are avialble in most boating shops or you can find them offered throughout the web. The goal that you should have is to find the type of product that fits your boat’s color, style, texture and need perfectly. Making small or larger repairs in this way is okay, as long as you take the time to consider the actual instructions for making it happen and don’t simply make repairs based on your quick judgment of the situation.

Hiring a professional to do your boat seat repair will mean paying a bit more money than doing the work yourself. Depending on your level of skill and the interest that you want to take in your project, you should determine what the best overall result for your needs is. It does take some time and patience to get the process going and it will take a bit of funds to actually make the repairs look great, but after wards you won’t know what the boat seat repair actually was.