26D Bow Eye, transome, and Gelcoat questions

[The Erp]

Hello from Land Locked Montana and a rookie newbie to this site!

I recently bought my first sailboat... 88 26D! She needs a bit of TLC and I appreciate ALL advice. The Bow Eye has a big hole. I had access to the nut and removed it. It is a true Eye bolt not the "D" ring. Can I just fill it in with Marine Tex then re-drill...or will it need fiber glass repair? The area is about 2 inches high and 1.25 inches deep. HELP!

next, the transom has a split starboard, bottom and port. Best way to repair?

Finally Gel coat at the bow area has deep nicks! Best way to repair?

Was not sure how to add photos so you can see what's up with the following link:

http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/theerp/library/

Thank you very much for all help and advice! Can't wait to get her wet! We have some BIG lakes up here to play in.

Larry

[grady]

Bow and transom need glass work! Need to check for rot and then formulate a repair. You may have to cut the transom out and put in new wood. Gel coat can be filled and touched up when the rest of the work is repaired.

[budgates]

Welcome Erp, from the land-locked Mojave Desert. Your bow eye should really be replaced be a U-bolt to spread out the load. A sizeable backing plate would also be an good improvement. The eye-bolt that you have must have been installed by a previous owner. As for your questions both the bow-eye and the transom will be subjected to a lot of stress so, like grady said, you will need to do some fiberglass repair.

[The Erp]

Wow THANK YOU for replying! I thought I had done something wrong......or nobody likes a rookie!

I was just thinking this afternoon that I would like to replace that big ugly eye bolt with a U. I have the fiber glass repair kit coming and will build up, repair and reshape that bow. Gelcoat also.

This is a really nice looking boat! The little lady (Suzanne) and I are having fun with the updates. She is redoing all the cushions and waiting on me to do the bow and transom repairs, so we can float her when the weather gets nicer.

This is a great forum and I'm happy to join the Mac Club!

Thanks again, I'll keep an update as repairs progress. The learning curve is fun!

[The Erp]

Additional question??? What size U bolt would you recommend? Thanks

[cptron]

Sorry, I don't know. what size bolt you will need but I feel it my civic duty to inform you that "NEW GUY BUYS THE PIZZA" and my crew will take a large meat lovers.
Welcome aboard and enjoy your new purchase. You have already found the greatest place for Mac sailors to come and find all information you will ever need.

[Curwen]

Erp,

Welcome to the club. I too have an 88 26D if you need any specific questions about things, let me know. These guys are great and you bought a great boat.

Curwen

[Tomfoolery]

Was not sure how to add photos so you can see what's up with the following link:

http://s1183.photobucket.com/user/theerp/library/

Photobucket has already supplied links to your images, complete with ubb code ([img at the front, and /img at the rear], so just click the IMG box (the bottom of four) on the photobucket page you linked to copy the link (one left-click both highlights, and copies), then paste it directly into your post. Put the link on its own line for readability (leave a blank line above and below for best appearance), and hit the Preview button to see what your post looks like before submitting it. Easy peasy. But you're limited to 3 images per post. And links to an album are fine also, like you did, or multiple links to many individual photos are good too, especially when you have a lot of pics you want to show.

Here's your bow photo. Click the 'quote' button to see what it looks like in the raw.



That's a pretty nasty looking hole. I don't know much about FRP repair, but I don't think just forcing in goop and redrilling is a good idea, at least not if the bow eye will be pulling directly against the repair. Use a heavy backer, as already suggested, to spread the load above and below, so the repair isn't the only thing holding the U-bolt.

[bobflshmn]

Additional question??? What size U bolt would you recommend? Thanks

I also have the 88, my U bolt is a 2 inch, not sure on the depth but there backing plates inside and out. Let me know if you have more questions.

[The Erp]

Yes I WILL BUY THE PIZZA! Everyone who shows up in Billings Montana anytime this year...I'm good for it!!!

Thanks for the welcome, advice, and how to add pix...great info!!

Yes its a big a** hole, the photo makes it look bigger, but I will be building it up on the inside, glassing like crazy and setting a U bolt where it won't be directly pulling on the repair...good advice.

The PO let this go way to long and I suspect the Mac bounced around on the trailer and wiggled the bolt in a circle wearing a nasty hole. They had the area Silicone caulked in.....BAD idea for sure.

I hope to start the repair this Friday....pray for me Brothers and Sisters of the Mac!

Thank you all again

[budgates]

No problem Erp. A 3-1/2" Thread Length Bow Eye, 3/8" Thread Dia., 1" Width of Eye should do nicely.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mari ... 60_008_501

Good luck with your project. I hope you enjoy restoring and sailing your new boat as much as the rest of us have enjoyed ours. The 26d is an excellent choice and my personal favorite.

[grady]

You will want to grind it out to get to fresh fiberglass and feather it out. Use cloth inside and for the build up out side. Then us at least one layer of mat on the outside so the repair stays smooth.

[budgates]

Grady is exactly right. I was going to say the same thing. I will add that I've never had good results by putting the cloth in place and trying to paint the resin over it. The cloth always sticks to my brush and gets pulled making a mess. What has worked for me is to soak the cloth in a bowl of activated resin and then stretch it out over the area to be repaired. Placing a piece of plastic-wrap over the patch will make it easier to smooth it out and can be easily removed once the resin cures. Make sure to wear disposable gloves (plastic or latex) and change the gloves before you try working with the plastic-wrap.

[mrron_tx]

Welcome to the forum ,It is a great place for help with a Mac Ron

[Tomfoolery]

No problem Erp. A 3-1/2" Thread Length Bow Eye, 3/8" Thread Dia., 1" Width of Eye should do nicely.

http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-mari ... 60_008_501

I measured the bow eye on my a short while ago, just-because. It measures .345" dia with a (roughly) 1" inside clearance (.5" radius). So it's probably a 3/8" x 1" x 3-1/2" like budgates linked to. If it's good enough for an , it's probably fine for a 26C.

When you repair the hole, make sure you fit something solid like a bit of marine ply to the interior, so you have a flat surface to nut against. Glass it in so it's part of the interior of the hull, tightly fitted to the hull shape and spanning above and below the hole, and it should last forever.