Dave - Thanks for the wonderful & humorous intro. Saw these images earlier and was too daunted to start the outline.
Tom, The good news is the damage is completely repairable. The bad news.... this is not a good fiberglass starter project.
Hopefully you can find a yard & contractor that will allow you to assist and do some of the work yourself. This can be a good learning opportunity.
Where are you located / hauled out? Sounds like you are hauled for the winter. This is good. Give you plenty of time to properly make the repairs.
If you are set on going it alone, I'll can advise from afar as you progress through the repair. First steps....
1) Empty the holding tank. Fill holding tank with fresh water. Empty tank. Fill holding tank with fresh water. Empty tank. I am 99% certain this repair will require someone to cut into the bottom of the holding tank. No one wants this to turn into a shit-show.
2) Remove damage: This will require a 4-1/2" to 6" angle grinder with 40 grit discs and possibly a jigsaw with a
bosch T341 blade. If you don't already own the proper safety equipment for grinding a laying up fiberglass then it is time to invest in quality
1/2 face to
full face mask with particle filters, safety glasses, ear plugs, and leather gloves. Once the damaged area has ceased to weep water it is time to open up the wound. Cutting away material using a jigsaw with may be easier and produce less dust than grinder. Ultimately you need to remove all the damaged material and expose enough healthy fiberglass matting on which to adhere the repair. Knowing how much material to remove and expose is where having an experienced person will be helpful. If you elect to go it alone, then sharing images in this phase will be critical if you want advice.
3) Completely dry the area. Depending on your environment this may just require time or it may require tenting the area and using dry heat or a dehumidifier.
4) Purchase
Don Casey's This Old Boat and/or The West System User Manual (
available on line for free via Jamestown Distributors). Once you have reviewed the basics of working with epoxy, I suggest identifying some other, less critical, boat projects involving fiberglass work (Casey's book identifies some good starter projects.) Practice glass work with some of these projects.
Please keep us updated as you work through the repair process.
