Favorite epoxy.

[Bbarry]

Hey guys,
I love this forum. It always cheers me up when im landlocked.

I had a question and I'm not sure if this is the place. What is your favorite epoxy for fixing small cracks and tears in the cabin top. 1 to 2 cm. Working on a mast step pull out and found a little peel up in the covering.

[TopsailB]

I like Thixo for small jobs. It's easy to apply, mixes in the special nozzle for precise application or mixed by hand if dispensed without the nozzle. And it stores well for a long period.

http://www.totalboat.com/product/thixo/

[Pacman]

TotalBoat from Jamestown Distributers and WEST System

[philb Junkie19]

I have only used one brand of epoxy so can't compare. But can say I have used a great deal of West system over the years for large and small projects with excellent results. The company's, Goudgeon Bros., technical assistance by email or phone has been great. For example, I had a question on keel damage on a cp16. Sent them a picture and got sound detailed advice. The also have very good 'how to' literature in print and online. If you are doing multiple coats or layers there is a minor disadvantage over some others.  Amine blush is a waxy film that appears when you don't reapply or recoat before the epoxy cures to beyond a certain point. That has to be removed with water and a 3 m pad.

[Bbarry]

Thanks for the great responses.

I've added some pics. The hole was a bit bigger than I remembered and I am torn as to if I should do a full repair (grind out and fill with sheets of glass) or just fill with epoxy.

Ill post finished pics. when I am done.

[philb Junkie19]

I have had good luck getting advice here. You can call technical services and ask to send a picture. https://www.westsystem.com/contact   
It makes sense to get all you can from the pros.

For discussion I'll give you my amateur dubber's perspective. The gellcoat cracks especially on the largest hole makes me think there was some movement and maybe damage in the glass structure right there. That does not seem to me to be critical.  If the boat was mine and if there is plywood under the step I'd fill the holes with an epoxy silica mix up to level with the existing gellcoat,  repair the gellcoat cracks to keep water out and and screw the step back in place and go sailing. As others have pointed out elsewhere on site if the mast is lost again the damage is minimized as opposed to bolting through.

I wonder what others might do and especially what West System tech support advises.

[brackish]

Was it through bolted?  It is not designed to be so.  If you lose your mast either while sailing or when raising or lowering it will do a lot more damage to both the boat and the mast if through bolted.  And from a structural perspective, does not need to be through bolted, the forces are neither lateral nor uplift.  So fill it with something to give the screws a bite and seal the wood from water intrusion, put the tab back on and go sailing.

My favorite epoxy is System Three Silvertip.  It is somewhat expensive but the componets are all speciality for various purposes and do not require you to figure out what fillers to use.  Their ez fillet is what would be appropriate here.  I used Silvertip to build a boat, and it may be more appropriate for that than a small repair.  Purchased from Boat Builders Central.

[Bbarry]

No not thru bolted thank goodness. The same screws that shipped with my new mast step we're in there. It looks like that screw caught the edge of the fiber as it was being pulled out and shattered.

I was told the PO tried to drive home with the mast up and met a tree.

So what would you fill the screw holes with to give them bite again? 3M 05203? Some liquid nails?

Would you use longer screws?

[Pacman]

My favorite way to do it is;

1. Drill oversize holes.
2. Fill them with thickened epoxy.
3. Then drill smaller pilot holes in the hardened thickened epoxy for your mounting screws. 
4. Install the screws in the pilot holes.

You will have the satisfaction of knowing you made it better than new.