Hey guys.  I have a small hole (about pinky size in diameter) in the hull of my boat.  Is bondo the best way to patch the hole?  I am getting some conflicting advice.

Thanks

J

What kind of boat, aluminum or fiberglass? Do you have access to the inside of the hull?

Sorry...

Fiberglass.  I may be able to get access to inside once I remove my battery pan.

J

DO NOT USE BONDO!!!!!!

You will want to repair it with fiberglass, or you might be able to use some form of marine epoxy. Back when I was working in an auto parts store there was a marine epoxy that we sold that I had heard really good things about.

Unfortunately I can't remember the brand name of the stuff.

Yup, bondo won't be structurally sound enough to hold up. Just keep your pinky finger in the hole and you'll be fine!  ;D It won't leak unless you remove your finger.

do a google search on "repairing fiberglas boat hulls"

DO NOT USE BONDO!

Get West System Epoxy from a marine supply store and make a paste by mixing in fiberglass fibers.

fill the hole with the paste & let it set up. (if you can get to the inside, cover the outside of the hole with cardboard lined with plastic wrap and pack it in from the inside. after tthe paste sets up remove the cardboard.).

Cut a piece of fiberglass cloth large enough to cover the hole and any gelcoat cracks with about three inches on each side.

Sand the gelcoat to get the shine off of it.

soak the fiberglass with epoxy and put it over the hole,pushing all of the air out.

When the epoxy sets up it can be sanded to make it as smooth as posible. you should put another coat or two & sand that.

After you have it smooth paint it with gel coat & buff it out.

If you can get to the inside put a patch on the inside too.

a patch like this will be as strong as the original hull.

Thanks BeanCounter!

J