Now I have 2 boats…

Kristie E

Member
I arrived up north for the summer, ready to sail the ‘71 fish I bought last year. And at some point, I plan to convert the rudder.

While my husband was trolling Facebook marketplace he found a beautiful but damaged ‘78 for $75, including the trailer. She has three crosswise cracks in the hull-one of them severe. God love him, my husband supported this purchase, as he thinks I can fix anything. So
as always, I’ve scoured this forum for tips and YouTubed everything I can find. I’ve ordered fiberglass supplies from Jamestown (more than $75), some fiberglass sail battens to support my patch, and I have started sanding. The project is very do-able (I think) and the boat is in great shape other than the cracks. She is not waterlogged.

I will keep you all posted and will share what I’ve learned. Wish me luck.
 
Cha-Ching! With the trailer?? Who could pass that up?
if you bought battens you must be thinking about the Shoreline method. Post a few pics of the damage if you have any questions. There’s a great video that shows the process, too.
You can fix anything!
But don’t forget about your first Fish and taking the time to sail it! ⛵
 
Cha-Ching! With the trailer?? Who could pass that up?
if you bought battens you must be thinking about the Shoreline method. Post a few pics of the damage if you have any questions. There’s a great video that shows the process, too.
You can fix anything!
But don’t forget about your first Fish and taking the time to sail it! ⛵
Thats exactly my plan and it’s taken me a day or two to muster my gumption to cut a hole in the boat. But the damage is just too severe to patch it from the one side, methinks. And it’s right where the boat “sits” on land, which I’m sure, is why the crack is there to begin with. If I’m going to do it, I might as well do it right.
I debated even posting before I started but decided I could use all the support I can get. I’ll reach out if I run into trouble. Which is clearly what my husband should’ve done before marrying me. Too late.
 
Cha-Ching! With the trailer?? Who could pass that up?
if you bought battens you must be thinking about the Shoreline method. Post a few pics of the damage if you have any questions. There’s a great video that shows the process, too.
You can fix anything!
But don’t forget about your first Fish and taking the time to sail it! ⛵
Just curious.

Do the three crosswise cracks align with any three trailer...umm...appendages? :rolleyes:
 
Just curious.

Do the three crosswise cracks align with any three trailer...umm...appendages? :rolleyes:
Good call! I was thinking fallen tree. That’s much more plausible.
As breeze bender said take pictures. This board has experts in repairs and can help.
good
Just curious.

Do the three crosswise cracks align with any three trailer...umm...appendages? :rolleyes:

Good call! I was thinking downed tree. But noob with a trailer? I AM a noob with a trailer! I will beware.

I’ve attached photos. She’s really quite perfect, but for the holes.

I’ve sanded out the bad glass on the worst crack, and here’s where I am now. My plan is to cut the swath out that I’ve penciled in (18” x 5”-ish), repair from the back, then replace and fix from the outside. Shoreline-style. The other cracks I’ll just deal with on the outside and I haven’t sanded them yet. Waiting for my epoxy to arrive. I have slow acting resin combo, silica thickener and the micro-balloon fairing-thickener on their way. I plan to paint with Rustoleum top deck and I’ll likely spray with the HVLP which I’ve been itching to buy for furniture.

unless anyone thinks otherwise….
 

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