www.iFourWinns.com

After what I thought was a good inspection [apparently not], I found a silver dollar-sized thru-hull penetration, at or near waterline, underneath the swim platform on a 1988 18' Horizon.

Options:
1. Take to boat shop, have glass professionally fixed
2. Attempt fix at home

Recommendations?

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1988 18' Horizon, 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra
2006 Chevy Suburban to pull it

Professional.

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Mike
2005 Four Winns 230/240
VP 5.7GXi/DP
1998 F-150 XLT
Boat Pic

I once took a fiberglass truck camper top (topper) that was made for a long box, cut it in half, and shortened it to fit a short box. It turned out pretty well for what I was trying to do. There is a certain way that you have to gring the glass to accept a splice and make it work. When you are finished you still need to repleace the missing gel coat. It can be done at home with the proper tools and time, but with the experience I have gained I would still not mess with a boat. If something goes wrong you stand to loose a lot of money. I would go to a pro. If you wanted to save some cash you could look for a golf cart repair shop. The bodies are most of tthe time fiberglass and they would be able to repare it just the same.

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1989 205 Sundowner
5.0 HO OMC Cobra

This was more than likely a drain of some kind. I would buy a larger through hull make the hole bigger goop it up with 5200 and then install a hose up to the floor where I would install another though hull as a drain.

That's just my two cents but I haven't actually seen the hole either.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Was it a hole used for something? Or was it caused by some sort of damage?

Be ready for worse news. Holes in boats have a nasty habit of causing the water to seep into the layers between the fiberglass. And if there's wood in-between there that can lead to water logging and rotting. Transoms tend to have wood in there (for strength). If it's rotted or waterlogged it could turn into a VERY expensive repair.

I would go to a professional. And get a firm grip on your ankles before you see the repair estimate.

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-Bill Kearney, 2005 348 Vista

any rot? transom rot is not a good thing, i'd take it to a fiberglass guy and have them check it. Your silver dollar might be a dinner plate before you get done.

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Thanks for all the feedback. In re the penetration, it is most definitely not an intended use, absolutely damage. It does not push all the way through, but is more of a gouge.

I've taken it to a fiberglass guy, and he recommends just filling it with Marine Tex. No rot, not waterlogged.

I need to get setup with an online photo website so that I can post pictures....



Ok, so this is the penetration, covered up by strips of electrical tape. Port side, under the swim platform. Under the tape, which I will shoot later, is a gouge, barely pushed through the hull on the bottom.

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1988 18' Horizon, 4.3L V6 OMC Cobra
2006 Chevy Suburban to pull it