After digging out my 1983 laser from storage in the back of a machine shop I decided to give it a good cleaning. I used a power washer, paying particularly close attention to the mast step since a lot of grime and metal burrs had accumulated in there after 15 years.
Of course I blasted a hole in the bottom of the mast step. The fiberglass is exposed - see picture. It still seems pretty watertight - no water leaks through if I fill up the step and let it sit. The sides also seem fine.
I need advice. What kind of repair does this need and how can I do it? I have neither the patience, time or money for a full mast-step repair, and hopefully its not really needed. I bought a mast step wear plate and was thinking of just epoxying it in place - hopefully making it watertight (will it?). Do i need to repair the fiberglass first? The gelcoat? If so, I don't really have too much experience so any advice including specific brands of epoxy/gelcoat repair or whatever would be very much appreciated. I don't really plan on racing it - I just want to get it in the water but want to avoid future troubles down the road as well if I can. Thanks!
Of course I blasted a hole in the bottom of the mast step. The fiberglass is exposed - see picture. It still seems pretty watertight - no water leaks through if I fill up the step and let it sit. The sides also seem fine.
I need advice. What kind of repair does this need and how can I do it? I have neither the patience, time or money for a full mast-step repair, and hopefully its not really needed. I bought a mast step wear plate and was thinking of just epoxying it in place - hopefully making it watertight (will it?). Do i need to repair the fiberglass first? The gelcoat? If so, I don't really have too much experience so any advice including specific brands of epoxy/gelcoat repair or whatever would be very much appreciated. I don't really plan on racing it - I just want to get it in the water but want to avoid future troubles down the road as well if I can. Thanks!
