Another question on ABS repair...what thickness is best?

[boatbuster]

I'm going to order a sheet of ABS or Kydex. Perhaps 1/8 inch is too thick? I guess it depends on where on the hull it is being used, but what thickness do you guys recommend for general Royalex repair?

[dixie_boater]

General rule of thumb: Use 1/8" (.125") for any inside patches. Use 3/32" (.0938") on the outside of the hull.

If you are repairing a hull with tear or crack that goes through to the ABS foam core apply 1/8" to the inside and 1/16" to the outside. The 1/8" will give the repair strength. Only a 1/16" thick piece is needed on the outside in that case. It is very important to apply plastic to both the inside and outside when the hull has been torn or cracked completely through. The repair must reinforce both the inner and outer layers of the ABS substrate. The thinner plastic on the outside will create less drag in the water and not affect handling characteristics as much as a thicker plate.

Michael

[ClassFive Boats]

If its a small area,, it is important to heat form it to the shape your reapir a much as possible with a heat gun. For adhesive Ive used Use 3m structual adhesive with good results.. Don't use Epoxy, it will crack and youll loose your patch. Gotta go, time for another beer. cheers