Fiberglass type

[Tim Mertinooke]

That crucial initial layer can be tricky in an application like this where inside access is merely a wet dream. This will be done per Don Casey's instruction from his Sailboat: Hull and Deck Repair book. My plan is to:

1. Clean with acetone and sand the back side of the hole's edge about 1/2 inch in to prepare it for adhesion.

2. Cut out a section of fiberglass cloth to the profile of the repair only slightly larger in diameter, say 1/4 of an inch.

3. Saturate the newly cut glass glass and allow it to fully cure.

4. Once cured remove the amine blush and sand with 80 grit so the subsequent layers will key in and so that it adheres to the back side of the hole in the hull laminate effectively.

5. Place two small screws into this new layer and attach copper wire to each screw making a loop.

6. Apply thickened epoxy to the outside edge of the newly created layer that was prepped to do so.

7. The cured glass should be flexible enough to bend slightly so I will carefull bend and manipulate it into the space between the lead ballast and the laminate.

8. the wire loop will then be pulled which will attach the newly created laminate to the back of hull laminate that was prepped to do so.

9. The wire will then be attached to a pole or broom handle tapped into the ground. Tension will then be able to be adjusted so that the edge is in contact with the back of the hull laminate, but not so much that this new layer will be warped. Once this has cured I should have a nice smooth layer to work from that will allow the 1/2 inch space between the hull and ballast to remain and be strong enough to withstand the force needed to apply subsequent layers. I have not done this, but when I read about it ceratinly applied to me and the idea made perfect sense.

This part of the plan I have had in my mind for a while and can picture it perfectly. It's the subsequent layup that is perplexing me due to the literature I have read, my past experience, and the plethara of new methods and materials. Go with a tried and true method with the materials I have at hand or wait a while while my new higher tech materials get delivered. I am in no rush as this is a very important repair, but am anxious to get started and would very much like to use what I have if possible. Ebb I do appreciate your advice on materials and experiences, this type of wisdom is seldom found in literature. I have this week off (not that the weather is cooperating) and was shooting for this weekend to do this. I don't mind waiting to order and receive the materials needed (X-Mat), but if using what I have will create a repair that is acceptable by virtually all that follow its progress (assuming I am careful and do a good job which I will) would using the traditional materials such as mat, roving, and cloth work?

BTW-the mat that I purchased says it can be used with epoxy so I am assuming the glue used will be compatible with the epoxy (west.)