Nitro Hammer Hull problems

[Ectmicro09]

So when I recieved my Nitro Hammer last summer there was a small hairline crack on the bottom of the hull right around where the wooden wall is. The crack was just through the paint not the fiberglass. So eventually as the nitro fuel and water got to it the crack got larger. I sanded down that area and patched it with an epoxy. That worked for the rest of the summer. So about a week ago I pull out my boat to go run it around since the ice is all melted away. After running about 5 tanks through it I notice that where I patched the hull the nitro was eating away at it and there was now a small sliver-like crack in the hull. I took it back to my house and after a while all the epoxy was off the hull. So now I have to fix it again... The right way. I know I will need to fiberglass it but could neone guide me on how I do that? Also the crack is in the front of the wooden wall so I will need to somehow get the top off the hull. Has anyone done this?

[engineman351]

Removing the entire deck is usually quite a chore and could wind up causing more damage than you already have. I would consider a couple other approaches. Depending on where the crack is, perhaps cutting a fair size hole in the forward bulkhead (wall?) would allow you to repair from the inside with not just epoxy, but epoxy and fibergalss cloth for strength. FYI, I think the Nitro Hammer is actually a polyester resin hull. You can put epoxy on polyester but not the other way around, so once you have used epoxy on the hull stick with it. I'd use a 1 or 2oz piece of cloth (most hobbiy shops carry 3/4" or 1" fiberglass ribbon for airplane wings that would work for crack repairs). If you can reach the crack, sand the area with 150 grit paper. I usually run some thin CA into the crack as it helps bond any broken fibers in the original cloth., Wipe everything down with acetone, then use a 30 minute epoxy with the cloth. You could also consider patching from the outside of the hull. Sand off the thin gel coat and/or paint so you see the cloth weave, use the CA as noted above, clean with acetone, then apply the cloth patch on the outside. You will have a bit more finishing to do (sand, fill & paint), but the repair will be just as strong. Good luck. RC

[Ball Racing]

If your doing bottom work, add some spray rails or "chines" to the bottom of the hull, that thing rides too wet, water climbs almost up on the deck. We did this and helped alot......

[Ectmicro09]

Thanks engineman for the quick response. I will go to the hobby shop tommrow and buy the fiberglass cloth (i saw it there) and what type of epoxy should I use. Should I go with epoxy resin or 2-part waterproof?