[quote=Edchris177]I fixed a similar ding on a 5.7, without cutting an access port. By cutting away the damaged material I ended up with an opening about 2". I used a piece of plastic juice jug, with 2 layers of wetted cloth. If you are really evil, use a laminated photo of your ex, or your boss,(if you really dislike them), there might be some satisfaction of having them cooped up in a dark, damp, sweaty stinky hull!
Fold it like a Taco shell & insert. The juice jug plastic will pop back to its original shape once inside the hull. A piece of nylon cord, or fishline was attached to the middle of the plastic backing. This could be pulled to force the patch against the inside of the hull til it sets up. You now have backing, add a layer of cloth to the outside, & you are ready for gelcoat. Be sure the outside layer finishes below the original gelcoat,(squeegee excess resin off) so as to leave 1 mm or so to blend the patch gelcoat even with the original.
Here is what I did. I should have taken more photos, but you get the idea.
It took longer to get the materials together, & string power out to my dock than the actual fix. I think I added 3 layers of cloth to the inside, (smallest against the hole, medium next, & a larger one against the plastic backing. You should be able to get a bent wire with some cloth inside, to wipe it down with acetone to ensure good adhesion.
The piece of juice jug will not adhere, it may end up falling loose in the hull once the banging around wears through the fishline, or whatever you used, but it only weighs a few grams, & won't rot or absorb water.
As Philp said, if you know where the bulkheads & stringers are it will make life easier, don't want to cut through those.
[url]http://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures/?g2_itemId=77105[/url]<!-- editby --><em>Edited by Edchris177 on Sep 23, 2012 - 11:01 AM.</em><!-- end editby --> [/quote]
