Plugging holes in abs hull

[aquajetruner]

Installing new Tuned pipe in my abs boat. The old pipe vented out the side. The new one will exit out the hatch. What's the best way to plug the old hole??

[Chris LaPanse]

How big is the hole?

[aquajetruner]

The hole is about 1/4" diam. I think I will just epoxy it .
Thanks Chris!

Bill

[bufferoo]

I've done this one many a time (for a few reasons ;) ).

I've found the best trick is some 30 minute epoxy thinned with a little methol hydrate. It's alcohol. Just a little to thin the epoxy out enough to wet some fibreglass cloth. Sand around the area to be patched with 150 - 220 grit paper to roughen it up a bit and then paint the area with the epoxy. Place on a patch about 1/2" larger on all sides and then paint it with the epoxy. This seems to work well as the epoxy stays a little flexible and "moves" with the hull. I've never had a crack or any patches separate. I do the same thing to actually fill the whole but I shred some fibreglass and mix it with the epoxy and use that to fill the whole. Once it cures I sand it down and prime with a scratch filling primer. A little wet sanding and you'll never see where the patch is.

Bufferoo

[aquajetruner]

Thanks bufferoo. I like your method better than just epoxy and tape. I am planning on painting the hull this winter so your idea looks to be the best!

Thanks,

Bill

[bufferoo]

I'm glad to help. I've found the single most important thing to remember when repairing ABS is that the repair needs to be somewhat flexible. I've tried this same thing using CA intead of epoxy only to get cracking around the patch as the patch was not flexing with the hull.

Bufferoo

[Chris LaPanse]

I have to agree with them. For that hole, the best way would be fiberglass with epoxy.

[Killa_Mgt]

I had to fill a hole in my boat as well, I use the above method, but put silicone in the hole from the inside, just incase it does leak, that way it fool proof, it's also a good iead to put a patch on the inside.