Sailboat Hull and Deck Repair

A fiberglass hull's seamless nature leads many boatowners to conclude that repair must be difficult. Wrong. Here, clearly and abundantly illustrated, is all you need to know to seal joints, bed hardware, replace portlights, locate leaks, fix cracks and even holes, restore your hull's gloss, renew nonskid decks, and much more. You'll wonder what you were worried about.

IntroductionLeaksChoosing a SealantRebedding Deck HardwarePreparing a Cored Deck for New HardwareSealing ChainplatesSealing Portholes--A Temporary SolutionRebedding DeadlightsReplacing PortlightsMast BootsHull-to-Deck JointCenterboard TrunksThrough-Hull FittingsPressurizing to Find LeaksRestoring the GlossBuffingSandingScratch RepairDeck RepairsStress CracksVoidsCrazing (Alligatoring)Renewing NonskidTeak DecksLaminate RepairUnderstanding Polyester ResinGrinding Is EssentialThe Basics of Fiberglass Lay-upWhen to Use EpoxyCore ProblemsDelaminationWet CoreDamaged CoreReinstalling the SkinStrengtheningStiffening a SkinHull RepairsGougesBlistersImpact DamageKeel and Rudder DamageWeeping KeelKeel/Centerboard Pivot ProblemsHull Damage Around Fins and SkegsDamaged RudderBlade/Shaft MovementExternal BallastIndex