Correct way to fill in a thru hull hole

[Normagain]

I'd definitely go with epoxy resin in that application. It will be a much stronger bond and repair. My first boat was a 17' Whaler where someone patched a 2' X 4' section on the bottom of the hull where they had run aground. I didn't know this until one day the entire patch came off while coming in from a day's fishing. It wasn't pretty looking but the foamed hull saved me. I'm sure you could do it right, but no structural polyester repairs on the hull bottom for me.

[Hooligan]

Originally Posted by Normagain

I'd definitely go with epoxy resin in that application.

This is very sound advice. Spend some extra because it is such a small area (and not to mention on the underside of the boat) You'll get a far superior bond out of epoxy. Get yourself some of that 1708 stitchmat too. I did a thru hull in my sailboat that was 2" and feathered back about six inches in all directions. (bout a 12" circle) Start with a small round cut of fiberglass for first layer over hole and get larger diameter-wise each additional layer. I remember the first two layers I did I put one on the inside of the hull and one on the outside to bond together real well initially. Use some wax paper in direct contact wit the hull/ patched area/ a flat piece of wood next, and then a stick or leg to hold the plywood from falling down.

Remember to clean good with acetone/ alcohol and rough it up pretty good.