Large Chunk Broken Off Centreboard - How to Repair

gonzo1

Hi Folks,

A Large Chunk broke off my Centreboard after a Capsize at the weekend, I had a look at it afterwards, and it is clear that the part that broke off was repaired previously - and it was a right shabby repair at that. I have the bit that broke off.

Would any of you guys have any tips or good Links to websites showing the best way to repair? I had a look at a few Clips on Youtube already, but I would like to research it a bit more...photos below including 1 showing that broken Piece loosely wedged on....Thanks

Broken Piece loosely fitted.JPG

Broken Section a.JPG

Broken Section b.JPG

fergal.b

Here is one way you could do it http://www.sail.ie/laserdb/laser_db_repair.htm but as you have the piece I would just stick it back on with epoxy, give both sides a rub with some sand paper to take of any sharp edges or loose bits then make some holes in both sides of the foam and epoxy in some wooden dowels, spread some more whitened epoxy along the foam and force the two bits together and scrape off any waste. If you are not happy with the join after it sets go along the crack with a dremel and cut a small V shape into the length of the crack, tape off both sides of the crack and fill the V with a gelcoat repair kit leaving it a little bit proud so it can be sanded back flush working with 600 wet paper to bring it down then 800, 1500 and finish with 2000 and clean off with rubbing compound.
Good luck.




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gonzo1

Nice one Fergal, thanks for the advice and also that link, that guy certainly knows what he's doing. Great step by Step guide and Photos....

Is there anywhere in Ireland that I can source the Gelcoat Kit? There are plenty in the UK but between shipping and exchange rate they work expensive,

Halfords also do a Epoxy Resin Kit including the hardener and Fibreglass Matting, would that be strong enough if I sprayed with White Plasticote afterwards?

Also, should I be using Epoxy Resin or Polyester Resin for the Repair?

fergal.b

I wouldn't use the epoxy from Halfords as it's more porous, These will post for a good price http://www.marineparts.ie/paint-and-maintenance/epoxy-repair-kits/ but I'm sure there a marine shop near you that also sells it.

You could also try

http://www.chmarine.com/acatalog/Marine-Epoxy-Fillers.html





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spaceHopper

More than likely the resin halfors send is polyester resin and not what you want, have a look on http://www.boardlady.com/ for epoxy repair also

http://store.magicseaweed.com/?utm_source=MSW%2BSite&utm_medium=Dropdown&utm_campaign=Store%2BDropdown&utm_content=Browse

Will sell both kinds of resin.

Talent

Try to use epoxy if you can. Polyester resin is fine for a new construction but it is hard to properly bond polyester to cured polyester. However some Lasers (and I assume this is a Laser by the look of the thing) tend to use a hard foam construction with an internal metal mesh reinforcement. If this is the case I have to confess I don't even know where to start. What type of boat is it and do you know what the construction of the board is?

Talent

Looking closely at the photos again I am more than ever convinced it's a hard foam board with metal reinforcement (you can see the slight tinge of rust coming through in places). I'd go with Feargal's solution of using epoxy resin to bond the bits together. It's not a structural point and all you need to do is restore a smooth flow of water over the board. HOwever you need to get a very viscose consistency (i.e. watery) of epoxy rather than the plasticiney viscosity you often get in repair pastes sold in places like Halfords. I'd be inclined to steer you towards a West style of epoxy, where you start with a very watery mixture and then thicken it with additives to get the right consistency which will not flow out of the joint while you are trying to get it to set (it takes about 24 hours). The West formula employs two or three analogies of conistency and the ones I recall are "mayonnaise" and " peanut butter". IN your case I think I'd aim for Mayonnaise.

However this stuff is not cheap and, while you only need a few teaspoons, it's hard to buy less than a half litre. But it's years since I last used it so try the chandleries and see if they now sell smaller quantities. You only need a small tube plus thickeners and if you're clever and come up means of keeping the epoxy in the repair while it sets (tape?), you might get away without the thickeners.

gonzo1

Thanks Talent, yes I think I'll get the West System if i can get it in a small qty. The boat is a Laser 2000, the Centreboard is the same construction as a Laser 1 as far as I know - Hard Foam Centre in with the Metal reinforced pins, and yes these have gone rusty where they have been exposed the saltwater

fergal.b

If you are up in Dublin I can give you enough stuff to do it or if you like I will do it for you. You can buy it in small amounts, This is the resin http://www.marineparts.ie/paint-and-maintenance/epoxy-repair-kits/west-system-101-mini-repair-pack.html and this is the filler http://www.marineparts.ie/paint-and-maintenance/epoxy-repair-kits/plastic-padding-gelcoat-filler.html or if you like you can add this to the resin http://www.marineparts.ie/paint-and-maintenance/epoxy-repair-kits/west-system-white-pigment.html and any marine should be able to get it for you.


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gonzo1

I'm not sure when i will be up in Dublin again Fergal, but thank you so much for the kind offer of repairing it for me. I have ordered the items that you listed, would you recommend using stainless steel nails or screws drilled into the good part of the centreboard before filling with the resin for extra strength?

fergal.b

I would stick with wood or even make holes in the foam and fill them with epoxy, believe it or not stainless steel needs oxygen to stay stainless so if you do coat in epoxy it can corrode and split the epoxy over time.



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