Black area in fibreglass

[bmwtechie]

I am currently stripping my fibreglass Hull for repair, the floor had rotted away, so decided to strip it right down to the bare hull, every hollow area of the Hull is filled with Foam, which holds alot of water, I have had the boat under cover for 1 year, and the foam is still full of water, there is one corner near the transom where the fibreglass is Black and seems soft?

Firstly what is this that i am seeing? is it the wood of the transom rotting through the fibreglass?

I am planning to strengthen the transom with 18mm more thickness by glassing in another layer of Ply, is this a good idea?

Any help on this black area would be appreciated

Thanks

[hoytedow]

It sounds like black mold and rotting wood to me. That will have to be cut out and replaced/reglassed. I don't envy you. There are threads addressing those methods here. Do a search under "mold" or "rot".

[hoytedow]

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/sea...om%20stringers

[tunnels]

When you say another layer of ply wood do you mean over whats there ?
If you are intending to cover the old you are a nut case . what do you think will happen , the rot wont stop it could even get worse and rot quicker . it feeds its self and sealed it has its own coccoon for the spoors to breed in .
Plus the weight of the wet plywood and then another layer and yet more wet plywood

[tunnels]

The black area you need to dig into it and find what it is !! dont be afraid just do it !!!

[Herman]

In the Netherlands we have a saying: gentle doctors make smelly wounds.

You get the picture: Out comes the angle grinder! Grind away whatever you do not like, and rebuild to your (or our) standards.

[tunnels]

theres possibly damp under the glass and coming up through the glass where there are tiny hold through to the core under the glass layer . it'll be wet for sure so use a good course disc on the grinder and have fun !!

[TeddyDiver]

Originally Posted by bmwtechie

there is one corner near the transom where the fibreglass is Black and seems soft? Firstly what is this that i am seeing?

Might also be a "burn" in the lamination process- too much hardener, too thick layer.. What ever, grind it away..

[Typhoon]

Originally Posted by Herman

In the Netherlands we have a saying: gentle doctors make smelly wounds.

I like that saying, I might start using it!

As for bmwtechie's boat, I've seen production boats laid up with a dry laminate and mould gets in and grows in the fibres on the surface. If you are lucky, that's what it is.

Regards, Andrew.

[Herman]

Yep, the Dutch are not so bad... (well except for Joran van der Sloot, I guess)

So as for a quick repair: get the grinder running!

[tinhorn]

Originally Posted by Herman

...and rebuild to your (or our) standards.

Hahahahahahaha! Indeed.