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1981 11'4" soft spot repair
watneea	#1  Posted on 06/07/10 - 4:06 AM
Member Posts: 3 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/11/10	Hi can anyone direct me to the correct way to repair a soft spot on the hull of my 1981. The area is 12"x8" approx. starboard side exterior of hull above waterline. The previous owner did some fiberglass repair but the exterior still deflects when pushed in this spot.
John Fyke	#2  Posted on 06/07/10 - 4:37 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1307 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/06/06	Sounds to me like he took some foam out and didn't replace it. Also the foam might be saturated with water. Although I don't think he would have gotten anything to adhere to it if that were the case. Can you post pictures? John Fyke Re-Fit or Reef It 1979 15' Sport with Super Sport conversion and 70hp mercury.
watneea	#3  Posted on 06/07/10 - 5:27 AM
Member Posts: 3 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/11/10	I can't post a photo now. The photos don't show much. The exterior of the hull shows some pitting. The exterior deflects more than 1/8" inch. Is there a way to inject foam into the hull?
John Fyke	#4  Posted on 06/07/10 - 8:57 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1307 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/06/06	Personally and I'm sure it's not what you want to hear but I would re-do the whole repair. Then you know exactly what the problem is. If it's just cosmetic, use it for the season and tackle it in the winter. John Fyke Re-Fit or Reef It 1979 15' Sport with Super Sport conversion and 70hp mercury.
gilgotes	#5  Posted on 06/07/10 - 10:23 AM
Member Personal Page Posts: 45 Comments: 5 Joined: 10/28/09	It's great to see another 11'-4" whaler owner! I had a debonded deck floor with water in it, where a previous owner couldn't make up their mind where to install a post-mounted seat, so there were lots of holes to let water in. Also, I am in the process of replacing the foam in mine in the rear seat area. I wanted to use Great Stuff Foam from a spray can to seal and tighten the deck skin (knowing that it probably wouldn't bond to the wet foam inside). It worked great (pun intended). Next winter, I'll be removing the deck skin and the wet foam under the deck, but for a temporary fix, it worked. For your situation, I would drill two small holes at both ends of the soft area and spray Great Stuff Foam in one end. When the foam comes out the opposite hole, it's filled. Then seal the hole. Good luck, Mike Edited by gilgotes on 06/07/10 - 10:25 AM 1976 11ft. Sport, 40hp Evinrude
watneea	#6  Posted on 06/07/10 - 5:12 PM
Member Posts: 3 Comments: 0 Joined: 05/11/10	Thanks! I may use the great stuff. I also thought I could cut open the exterior of the hull in this area. I could see what was wrong then pour in foam. What do you think?
gilgotes	#7  Posted on 06/07/10 - 5:39 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 45 Comments: 5 Joined: 10/28/09	I think it would be better to not cut it open if you didn't have to, unless you're not happy with the existing patch job, or you're curious. Cut it open and you will have to replace the patch vs. filling two small holes with patch material (fiberglass mash/kitty hair/epoxy etc...). No matter what you might find in the soft area, the Great Stuff Foam will tighten it without tearing it apart. I think pouring in foam into a vertical surface would be an unnecessary, tricky job. Mike Edited by gilgotes on 06/07/10 - 5:40 PM 1976 11ft. Sport, 40hp Evinrude
John Fyke	#8  Posted on 06/07/10 - 6:15 PM
Member Personal Page Posts: 1307 Comments: 0 Joined: 09/06/06	I wouldn't put any band aids on it. Use it and then fix it right. JMA. John Fyke Re-Fit or Reef It 1979 15' Sport with Super Sport conversion and 70hp mercury.