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Author Topic:   To Patch or Not to Patch

ss13 posted 02-16-2003 07:47 PM ET (US)
I've searched the site and pieced together a couple of options, but still can't avoid asking the specific question:
I've got 4 trolling motor mount holes on the bow of my 13 Supersport. I've not yet decided if I will fill the holes with the mount bolts of a new troller or if I simply want to temporarilly patch them.
Let's assume the temporary patch. Can I get by with silicone seal plugs? I know this sounds a bit crazy, but I figure for a temporary seal, I can trust it and fairly eaily remove it.
Any feedback would be much appreciated as I'm not up on fiberglass patching and my solution may be swayed by this naivete.
jimh posted 02-16-2003 08:02 PM ET (US)
I had those same four holes on the bow step area of my 15-Sport. I filled them with epoxy and then a top coat of gel coat resin, which I tried to match for color.
Since I was not going to try to match the non-skip pattern with a external mold, I just used masking tape to make a small hexagonal dam around each hole (using six pieces of tape overlaid). This gave the gelcoat a more or less uniform shape, which turned out to not be horribly unattractive at all.
Another suggestion to solve problems like this is to just use a flathead stainless steel screw of the smallest size that reasonably fills the outer hole diameter. Install the screws with bedding compound or sealer. In terms of appearance they look quite nice, and they seal up the holes in a workman-like manner. A small screw with a dress washer also works but is not as flush to the deck.
That idea comes from LHG who has used it in several places in the non-skid deck area of his fine boats. To the casual glance you would never know the boat did not come from the factory like that.
By the way, we make it a high priority to respond immediately to posts that contain words like "naivete". This is clearly not the writing of some Gulf of Mexico crabber. :-)
ss13 posted 02-16-2003 08:11 PM ET (US)
Thanks Jim, I really like the flathead stainless screw idea. It eases a slight affliction I have with the desire for most things to have metal in, on or near it. Nickel in particular.
Sorry about veering off on a tangeant here, but can't help myself, again the affliction. Most nickel ever mined for our use here on earth is from meteoric iron. Another words, it has fallen from the skies. 38% of that comes from one large meteor crater found in Sudbury, Ontaria. Hopefully this sheds some metaphorical terrestrial light on why nickel -> stainless steel, glimmers the way only it can.
Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, it is a perfect solution for obvious reasons.
elaelap posted 02-17-2003 05:43 PM ET (US)
Does that "ss" in your screen name stand for Supersport or stainless steel? Fascinating information, whether on or just slightly off topic, which is what I've come to expect from this forum. Regards,
Tony

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Author	Topic: To Patch or Not to Patch
ss13	posted 02-16-2003 07:47 PM ET (US) I've searched the site and pieced together a couple of options, but still can't avoid asking the specific question: I've got 4 trolling motor mount holes on the bow of my 13 Supersport. I've not yet decided if I will fill the holes with the mount bolts of a new troller or if I simply want to temporarilly patch them. Let's assume the temporary patch. Can I get by with silicone seal plugs? I know this sounds a bit crazy, but I figure for a temporary seal, I can trust it and fairly eaily remove it. Any feedback would be much appreciated as I'm not up on fiberglass patching and my solution may be swayed by this naivete.
jimh	posted 02-16-2003 08:02 PM ET (US) I had those same four holes on the bow step area of my 15-Sport. I filled them with epoxy and then a top coat of gel coat resin, which I tried to match for color. Since I was not going to try to match the non-skip pattern with a external mold, I just used masking tape to make a small hexagonal dam around each hole (using six pieces of tape overlaid). This gave the gelcoat a more or less uniform shape, which turned out to not be horribly unattractive at all. Another suggestion to solve problems like this is to just use a flathead stainless steel screw of the smallest size that reasonably fills the outer hole diameter. Install the screws with bedding compound or sealer. In terms of appearance they look quite nice, and they seal up the holes in a workman-like manner. A small screw with a dress washer also works but is not as flush to the deck. That idea comes from LHG who has used it in several places in the non-skid deck area of his fine boats. To the casual glance you would never know the boat did not come from the factory like that. By the way, we make it a high priority to respond immediately to posts that contain words like "naivete". This is clearly not the writing of some Gulf of Mexico crabber. :-)
ss13	posted 02-16-2003 08:11 PM ET (US) Thanks Jim, I really like the flathead stainless screw idea. It eases a slight affliction I have with the desire for most things to have metal in, on or near it. Nickel in particular. Sorry about veering off on a tangeant here, but can't help myself, again the affliction. Most nickel ever mined for our use here on earth is from meteoric iron. Another words, it has fallen from the skies. 38% of that comes from one large meteor crater found in Sudbury, Ontaria. Hopefully this sheds some metaphorical terrestrial light on why nickel -> stainless steel, glimmers the way only it can. Anyway, thanks for the suggestion, it is a perfect solution for obvious reasons.
elaelap	posted 02-17-2003 05:43 PM ET (US) Does that "ss" in your screen name stand for Supersport or stainless steel? Fascinating information, whether on or just slightly off topic, which is what I've come to expect from this forum. Regards, Tony