How To Fix Your Fiberglass Boat

Fiberglass boats are a popular choice among boaters because they’re durable, lightweight, and low maintenance. Despite their popularity, fiberglass boats are still susceptible to getting damaged when you’re out on the water. The good news is they’re relatively easy to repair. Keep reading to learn about the steps on how to fix a fiberglass boat or patch it and what materials you’ll need.

What You Need for A Successful Fiberglass Boat Repair

All you need to perform successful marine fiberglass boat repairs are several basic tools and materials and a few hours of your time. 

Tools & Materials

Thankfully, fiberglass is an easy material to work with. The tools you need to repair a fiberglass boat depend on its size and overall condition. For example, if the hull is damaged, you’ll need a fiberglass repair kit and a resin hardener. If it’s scratched, sandpaper and polish should do the trick. 

Here are ten tools and materials you’ll need to perform any basic fiberglass boat repairs: 

• Soap
• Water
• Plastic bucket
• Sponge or cleaning rag
• Electric sander
• Sandpaper
• Primer 
• Epoxy sealer
• Hardener
• Putty knife

Time 

Just like with the tools and materials you’ll need, the time it takes to repair a fiberglass boat depends on its condition, size, and severity of the damage. While a newer boat can take less than one hour to repair, an older boat may take a few hours to complete. Similarly, the bigger a boat is and the more extensive its damages are, the longer it will take to repair. 

With that in mind, it takes boaters an average of three to six hours to complete fiberglass boat repairs. 

6-Step Guide to Fiberglass Boat Repairs

While repairing a fiberglass boat isn’t particularly difficult, it does require time and effort. Take a look at our step-by-step guide on how to repair your fiberglass boat like a pro: 

Locate the damaged area, and identify the problem(s). Doing so will help you determine whether you need to repairing fiberglass boat hull, patch your fiberglass boat, perform fiberglass hull gouge repairs, or take other steps to restore your boat to prime condition. 

1. Use gentle soap and warm water to clean the damaged area and the area surrounding it. 
2. Use an electric sander and sandpaper to remove any excess materials or residue on the surface of the damaged area. 
3. Apply a layer of primer to the affected area. The primer layer protects the boat from harmful UV rays, chemicals, and corrosion. It also ensures that your paint job will last for years without fading or chipping.
4. Apply a mixture of epoxy sealer and hardener to the surface of the damaged area.
5. Smooth out the mixture with your finger or a putty knife until it dries completely. 

Congrats! Now you have learned how to repair a fiberglass boat.

Repair Your Fiberglass Boat With CleanTools

Every successful boat repair starts with a clean boat. With over 20 years in the marine industry, CleanTools is your destination for superior boat cleaning supplies, including repairing fiberglass boats, and pontoon boats. Keep your investment in tip-top shape with the Round Boat Brush and The Absorber® XXL . When you want to feel confident in a clean boat, CleanTools has you covered.