[quote=Edchris177][quote]with big knots on one side so it won't pull through.[/quote]
With that large a hole, you will need several strings, cut a strip from a plastic juice jug as backing for the patch. It folds easily, won't rot over the next 35 years.
If I were in your shoes, I'd patch it, then keep looking for a hull, though the patch will show up. However, if funds are tight, what's worse, a boat with a cosmetic blemish, or not sailing?
I did a similar fix, though it wasn't on a boat.The easiest way is to flip the boat and set the hulls on saw horses, higher than standard if possible. Then gravity becomes your friend. It is easy to reach inside & sand a bit, & wipe down the inside. You can lay up a bunch of layers, drop them into place, then stretch a sheet of plastic & tape it over the hole. Gravity will conform the patch to the inside of the hull, & more importantly keep resin/glass fully engaged with the inside of the hulls.
After that cures, flip the boat, grind away any ridges, or excess epoxy & lay up several more layers. What works really well is to get a 1/2 dozen of those acid brushes, or other really cheap brushes. Have your cloth precut & ready. Brush on a thin layer of epoxy, drop the cloth in place, then very gently, working from center outwards, brush the cloth down.
Several times I have just tapped it on with my fingers, you can fully wet 2-3 layers of cloth with very little resin. You will be able to clearly see the cloth when cured. This allows 5-6 layers, without much thickness, making for a strong patch.
Once the boat is flipped & supported, and you have materials organized, the whole job will only be a few hours, though you may want to let the first bunch of layups cure overnight.
Admit it, the hull is not going to look great, unless you want to get into gelcoat, but even using West product, you can fix this for $100, less with 3M bondo, & I've seen litres of it in our stores that say ""marine" & waterproof.[/quote]
