Repairing Badly Damaged 13-footer

Repair or modification of Boston Whaler boats, their engines, trailers, and gear
IslingtonWhaler
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:00 pm

Repairing Badly Damaged 13-footer

Postby IslingtonWhaler » Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:26 pm

I recently acquired a damaged 13-footer that was hit in the starboard stern quarter. This boat was owned by a friend, his niece was driving, and she didn't see a fishing boat coming at her. She's lucky to be alive.

The 13-footer suffered major damage, but I do think it's repairable.

[What are your] thoughts [about the damage?]

[Can a repair be made?]

I want to do [the repair] right. I've read the section on using polyester resin and cloth for repairs on both sides, as the factory recommends. I also looking into expandable foam (2-part pourable) for boats.

Below are three [URLs to images] so [the damage can be seen].

https://i.imgur.com/TouqDIw.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/1CIr1Jd.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/xfacIKn.jpg

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Phil T
Posts: 2602
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 6:08 pm
Location: Was Maine. Temporarily Kentucky

Re: Repairing Badly Damaged 13-footer

Postby Phil T » Tue Aug 13, 2019 4:20 pm

You will need to cut out the broken portion, build a wooden form for the missing bit, grind the the fiberglass back and rebuilt both sides and the gunwale cap. Once done, pour 4lb foam in the cavity. You will need a sprue hole for the excess to escape then cover and spray gelcoat.

It is important to note your friend's niece is okay and it is just a boat.
1992 Outrage 17
2019 E-TEC 90
2018 LoadRite 18280096VT
Member since 2003

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Repairing Badly Damaged 13-footer

Postby jimh » Tue Aug 13, 2019 4:26 pm

Turn that boat into a flower planter.

flymo
Posts: 189
Joined: Thu Oct 22, 2015 2:58 pm

Re: Repairing Badly Damaged 13-footer

Postby flymo » Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:22 pm

A 13-footer is not hard to find. To find a 13-foot Boston Whaler with a dud motor and a trashed interior and swap your stuff over would be much easier and likely also to produce a better result.

IslingtonWhaler
Posts: 2
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2019 3:00 pm

Re: Repairing Badly Damaged 13-footer

Postby IslingtonWhaler » Tue Aug 13, 2019 5:33 pm

I got the boat for free making more motivating to fix it.

biggiefl
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Re: Repairing Badly Damaged 13-footer

Postby biggiefl » Wed Aug 14, 2019 9:43 am

The rubrail is gonna cost $250. You are probably looking at $1,000 to fix that damage, and the boat will be worth about that when done.
On my 24th Whaler. Currently in the stable: 86 18' Outrage, 81 13' Sport(original owner), 87 11' Sport, 69 Squall(for sale cheap).

jimh
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Location: Michigan, Lower Peninsula
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Re: Repairing Badly Damaged 13-footer

Postby jimh » Wed Aug 14, 2019 1:54 pm

Ask yourself this: would you buy a badly damaged 13-foot Boston Whaler from some guy who was an amateur fiberglass boat repairer who had never worked on a Boston Whaler Unibond hull and made a repair to it, and then would you let YOUR niece go out in that boat alone in an area of heavy boat traffic?