Filling an open hole on the deck...any smart ideas?

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Matata

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Ive just removed an old plug lead leaving a hole in the stern deck area. It has left an unsightly and open hole in the white fibre glass surface about 2cm od. I cannot get access to below deck to seal it off before filling/repairing. Any suggestions how to tackle this? Ta Nik
 
If you are not looking to fill the hole how about a stainless disc screwed over the hole with a bead of sealant.
 
Matata said:
Ive just removed an old plug lead leaving a hole in the stern deck area. It has left an unsightly and open hole in the white fibre glass surface about 2cm od. I cannot get access to below deck to seal it off before filling/repairing. Any suggestions how to tackle this? Ta Nik
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The West System instruction manuals will tell you everything you need to knowt: https://www.westsystem.com/instruction-manuals/

This very old GRP boat repair manual may even be adequate: http://www.bluemoment.com/downloads/grp_repair_manual.pdf
 
peteK said:
Put a stainless vent over the hole and it would look as if its meant to be there.
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Years ago I got rid of a cabin heater and that left a 4" hole in my coachroof. As a temporary measure I fitted a ventilator in its place. It's still there. :)
 
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If the deck's cored with wood or foam, and you take the approach of fixing something over the hole instead of filling the full depth of it, do make sure the exposed sides of the core in the hole are sealed.

This should have been done by whoever drilled the hole, but they frequently don't. I had to cut out and rebuild most of the aft deck on our previous boat because the previous owner had simply run a drill through the deck for a (unnecessary in the first place!) bonding wire.

Pete
 
If it's a small hole in a non structural areas, which it sounds like it is, then it simply needs filling with a suitable filler/putty before finishing off with some gel/flow coat which you could colour match and rub down if really fussy.... The easiest way of getting started, i.e.: to stop the initial fill from falling through, is to cut a small thin piece of wood the width of the hole and very marginally longer, drill a hole in the middle of it for a length of string with a stopper knot in the end, poke the wood through the hole and pull it against the inside of the deck/surface with the string, and put some filler in. Let this set, cut the string off, and fill the rest of the hole burying the end of the string. Make good.
 
Triassic said:
If it's a small hole in a non structural areas, which it sounds like it is, then it simply needs filling with a suitable filler/putty before finishing off with some gel/flow coat which you could colour match and rub down if really fussy.... The easiest way of getting started, i.e.: to stop the initial fill from falling through, is to cut a small thin piece of wood the width of the hole and very marginally longer, drill a hole in the middle of it for a length of string with a stopper knot in the end, poke the wood through the hole and pull it against the inside of the deck/surface with the string, and put some filler in. Let this set, cut the string off, and fill the rest of the hole burying the end of the string. Make good.
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Yes works well. You could make a grp piece and put epoxy on it to glue it up under the hole. The hole itself is easy to fill however difficulty is in finishing to match nearby deck. If it is non skid this is especially difficult. Even smooth you need to make it smooth and level then try to colour it to match. (paint or pigmnted gel coat?) olewill
 
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