Hole repair

[Deb]

Bought a 1984 Com-pac 16, needs alot of work. First I'm a novice.
I started fixing two screw holes that were poking thru below waterline.
I've got them cleaned out but I'm not sure if I have them cleaned out enough.  I can feel a space between the gel coat and the wood in areas next to it.  The front bilge area is more than wet.  Am I needing to take this to a professional?

[DOUG142]

Deb,
As far as the screw holes.  Where are they located?  You could buy some epoxy and fill the holes , but first try and taper the sides   , have some tape ready to put on the back side and some to put on the outer side.  That way it won't run out.  When dry , lightly sand then paint.

The inside floor is another story.  Check out this forum on rebuilds and restore.... several articles and pictures showing floor repair....

Open up the boat and dry it out...

Good luck and your boat is still a very good boat to own and sail
I am sure others here have more experience than I on fiberglass repair and the floor issue.

Doug

[Deb]

Doug, Thank you for responding.  The two screw holes are forward on the starboard side.  3 Feet, 8 and 10 inches from the bow. 22 inches down from the rubber trim that separates the top from the hull and 1 inch above the stripe.  I'm really afraid this is a bigger problem than I expected. I'm drying it out with a fan, but it's so humid here.  The front bilge area is really wet.
I will look at any information possible.  Thanks, Deb.

[Paul]

Hi Deb:

Welcome to the forum.  Sounds like there is moisture trapped in the forward section of the bow, under the forward section floor.  Likely, it's getting there thought the bow eye.  Check to see if the metal flange is bedded properly at the bow eye.  This is certainly an easy place for water to intrude.

How did the holes on the starboard side get there?  Are they drilled holes?  How long have they been there?  This is an unlikely place to have screw holes.

A photo would be most helpful.  If they are small drilled holes, then this is an easy fix, assuming the fiberglass is in good condition, i.e., not delaminating.  Looking forward to seeing pics.

Paul

[Deb]

Paul, Thanks,
The screws were from a battery strap.  I will check the bow eye too.
Deb

[Bob23]

Deb:
   Don't get discouraged! You'd be surprised at how much you can learn to fix these things yourself. Ask lots of questions; there are lots of folks here on the site who are willing to help and have vast knowledge of Compacs and boat problems in general.
   Was your boat in the water when you bought it? Maybe that moisture in the forward bilge area is from the battery strap screws.
   Anything can be fixed; the 16's are wonderful boats and built tough- she'll give you lots of enjopyment out on the water.
  Where is your home port?
   Bob23 in NJ

[Deb]

Thank you All,
I'm continuing to dry her out.  Seems to be getting better slowly and the wood down in the bilge sounds and feels firm so far.
I have never had water in the most forward area near the bow eye, just down in the front bilge.  Where is that water suppose to go other than me pumping it out?  I guess it's just not suppose to be there at all is the answer.  I have alot to learn and I really appreciate all of you!!!
I'm in Townsend, TN and sail on Chilhowee at the end of the Parkway.
I'm thinking before I mess with the bow eye I should just repair the screw holes and see if that fixes it.  How would I know if there is a delaminating problem?  She's been mostly in a barn until I got her less than a month ago. Had been sailed occ.  We sailed her when I looked at her but I neglected to look in the bilge until after I got her home...(I know...don't tell me what a dummy I am).  I know the guy I got her from didn't do the screw holes so it's hard to say how long they have been there.  A few folks at West Marine looked at her and said I could fix her.  One said there didn't appear to be a bubble ( blister)?   So I've had her in the water, even overnite.  So as far as how long the water has been coming in is hard to say.  I will dry her out  and start with the pretty holes I've made bigger. Deb

[Deb]

The bilge is drying out slowly.  I took a better look at the bow eye ( U-Bolt) (is this the same as a towing eye?) and there is a small gap around the plate outside and then on the inside I can make out just a little history of rust.  Alas,  I now have two places I could be taking in water.  My gut tells me to let someone with knowledge  to look at her. If I am to fix the bow eye...How?

[Ray M]

The bow eye is the same as the towing eye.  It shouldn't be too hard to caulk the bow eye with a good, marine quality caulking.  Go down to your local marine supply store and start learning about which caulking would work best for your situation.  3M makes good stuff.  Also, there aren't too many places these boats can be leaking from under the water line.  Fix the screw holes as described above.  Reseal the bow eye.  And then check the transom area fittings (cockpit drains, ladder mount if you have a ladder, motor mount) for leaking next time you have it out.  Also, are you sure that your not getting rain water in the boat from leaks in the deck?  Check this out by having a friend water down the deck while you're inside looking for leaks.  Just take it one step at a time and start learning on this site, down at the marine supply store, and other places.  You'll grow more confident as you learn and may find that you don't have to resort to professional help.

Good luck !

[Deb]

Doug,Paul,Bob&RM...Y'all are great.
Today I tackled the job....and it was a 1/2 disaster.
How many folks out there have successful stories to share about using Fiberlass repair kits?
Just getting the boweye out was a real project...it was so coated with probably 5200 that the bolts wouldn't budge...but I was stronger.
The gel coating hardened so quickly I couldn't even get the fiberglass in after the initial coating. I talked to tech support before I started.  I felt I was prepared and followed procedure exactly.  Even a 92 degree day was ok.
Alas....The "Jean Marie" is in better hands for a few days.  And that's just fine.  The man who has her is my 'hero' and even got a jar of Blackberry Jam.  The ironic part was I had done such a good job on the inside that to get the boweye back on to take her I had to drill  a hole thru my solid work!
I will leave this work for you more talented folk and tackle what I can.
I've kept her tarp covered but will do the rain test too.
Thanks so much and I'll close this specific topic.  More tho to come I'm positive....Deb.........