Pearson Yachts Forum
Pearson Boats - Common Systems => Steering System, Hull Structure => Topic started by: 323Voyager on December 05, 2023, 05:28:38 PM
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Hi,
Now that my Pearson 323 is on the hard, I need to address an issue found during the survey. The skeg had a crack forming at the lower gudgeon.
I chipped away all of the loose material and found that it was a really thin layer of some type of filler, and it did not bond with the bronze gudgeon underneath (See pics attached).
So my question is, whats the best way to repair this? Do I just cover with epoxy filler, fair, paint and bottom paint? Or do I use a few layers of glass?
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Last year my skeg looked the same as yours.
I sanded some, than filled the gap with epoxy faring Than painted .
Just pulled the boat out and it still looks good.
easy project. Good Luck.
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No worries. Fix it with thickened West System. I used some lightweight fiberglass cloth and epoxy first to lock up the seams. That may be overkill. There are plenty of tutorials on using epoxy on the West website. Go easy with the grinder- take away only what you need to get to clean fiberglass and don't maul the bronze fasteners- its hard to find good bronze hardware today and the last thing you want to do is use stainless steel replacements. Remember to fill the screw slots with modeling clay so if the bronze parts ever need to come apart the screw slots will still take a screwdriver. Take your time. Photo shows the parts- its a sistership.
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That's great news, thanks to both of you. Its been busy with Christmas coming and all the rain, but I'll take some pics once I start the repair and keep you both in the loop.
Thanks again for the advice!
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good luck with it, Have a Great New Year.
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Just wanted to follow up with progress. I had the bottom bead blasted and have been fairing and fixing other little issues. I also fiberglassed two of the thru hulls shut that are no longer being used.
As per Alma's advice I covered the bronze bolts. I used acrylic (Not Silicone) house caulk to cover the bolt heads. The epoxy stuck to it fine. Then used 10 oz glass to cover it over and faired with total boat's fairing compound.
Hopefully it lasts, but it seems to be a solid repair.
Next will be barrier coating.
Thanks for all the advice, I was worried it was more then a cosmetic repair.