How to Use Fiberglass Resin Jelly to Repair a Boat Floor

It can be a captain’s worst nightmare to have a hole in the floor of their boat. Thankfully, most holes are easy to repair with fiberglass resin jelly. In fact, repair kits are affordable and can be purchased easily at your local marine supply store or even over the internet. With a little tender love and care, and some attention to detail, the hole in the floor will be fixed and your boat will be repaired in no time!

Instructions

1. Clear away the damaged fiberglass around the hole. Check carefully for hidden areas where the floor has been damaged around the perimeter of the hole by tapping it gently with the end of a screwdriver to determine any weaknesses under the surface of the floor. If the fiberglass breaks further around the edges of the hole in the floor, remove it before continuing.

2. Clean the area in and around the hole thoroughly before beginning to repair your boat. Fiberglass resin jelly should only be used on clean, dry surfaces. Making sure the hole and floor are completely cleansed will help ensure the success of your fiberglass resin repair job.

3. Measure the first layer of fiberglass fabric one inch larger than the diameter of the hole in the floor. Then, cut accordingly and place the fabric over the hole. Spread the resin jelly over the fiberglass fabric, holding it in place until it has cured.

4. Repeat this process with fiberglass cloth, being cut slightly larger than the last, until two or three layers have been applied. When these fiberglass layers have cured completely, you may continue to repair with additional layers until it is flush with the surface of the boat's floor.

5. Apply the fiberglass gelcoat evenly to complete the repair of the hole in your boat's floor.