Fiberglass Boat Repair

Fiberglass boats may require repairing as a part of gradual deterioration over a period of time. Cracking of the gelcoat and scrapes and dings account for the majority of repair work being done.The damage should be assessed accurately before committing to repair work
The damage may worsen if it is left unattended for a long period of time.
What are the different types of fiberglass boat repair works?
- Repair of minor cracks and holes: Fiberglass boats tend to have scrapes, dings and cracks resulting from impacts. Most cracks appear gradually and get worse over time. They often appear near a bulkhead due to wearing off solid laminate. The repair work is started after a thorough examination to evaluate the damage.
- Repair of damaged stringer: Fixing of damaged or delaminated stringers is one of the most common repairs associated with fiberglass boats. The stringer disintegrates from the core material material mainly due to impact or rotting. Depending on the degree of damage the stringer is either partially or completely replaced.
- Repair of damaged skin: The structure of a fiberglass boat relies on the continuity of the fibers on the skin. Fiberglass boat skin gets damaged from impact, abrasion, flexing or deterioration of the resin holding the fibers etc. The key objective of fiberglass boat skin repair is to restore fiberglass continuity that helps to increase load carrying capability of the fiberglass boat.
- Core damage repair: The fiberglass boat which typically consists of a wooden core remains stable for a long time.In cases when fiberglass lamination is not properly done, water seeps through the laminates and settles down at the core initiating damage. Core related damage can be in varying scales from small skin delamination to moisture related core deterioration, to collision damage creating a hole in the interior and exterior of the core. Core related damages are corrected by skin lamination, transom lamination, replacing damaged cores and by repairing holed panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fiberglass is used in boat repair due to its benefits like
- Provide lightweight material with a high strength-to-weight ratio
- Provide dimensional stability to the structures for lasting performance.
- It offers corrosion resistance to boats to remain free of deterioration.
- Lighter weight helps to reduce operating costs and improve efficiency
- Increased stiffness provides stability.