one very sad/annoyed mirror owner.

Submitted by Kafter244 on Sun, 09/01/2013 - 12:15

Forums:

I joined this forum the other year after I saved a mirror from going to the dump. I spent a bit of time sorting the rigging out, and a LONG time arranging for it to follow me on an interstate move.

Finally I got it in the water (today) and on the way to the lake my trailer punctured a bloody big hole in the port buoyancy tank :( ...and a very long crack in the starboard one too.

So, any suggestions for fixing large (3" x 8") holes in the hull?!

I'm torn between patching with ply and replacing the entire piece, both of which have their issues.

One person has suggested that due to the many repairs and large amounts of fibre glass tape already on the hull, I should put a second skin right around it. This would effectively make the outside as new, the hull twice as tough and save the trauma of reconnecting all the other parts if I were to remove and replace the current hull with a single layer.

Anyone have any opinions/experience with a double skinned hull? It seems like a quick and efficient solution, but feel I must be missing something. :/

Many thanks.

62816inBerlin's picture

62816inBerlin

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 14:28

... you have a real problem. Have you checked for more rot in the bottom panels?
Or was the boat just tied down too tightly on the trailer ?
If there are more soft spots, I'd suggest trying to replace entire bottom panels. If the damage is local, you could do a temporary glass-over fix and sail it for the rest of the season, then do a proper patch job off-season (weather and circumstances permitting).
After repairs - look at putting larger pads on the trailer for the boat to rest on.
Personally I believe that glassing over a wooden boat completely is always a death penatlty (although dying may take a few years). Of course, nothing lasts forever :.-{(
Gernot H.

Kafter244

Sun, 09/01/2013 - 23:56

I think, as I haven't even started sailing yet, I'm not going to do a temp patch job. Even if it takes until next season I'd rather fix it properly. It only happened late yesterday afternoon so no chance to inspect thoroughly yet, but I think, if not rotten, the hull is weak. Like I say, there's been a lot of patching already and a broken skeg. The previous owners were a scout troup and I don't think a lot of care was taken with it. :/

I'm going to turn it upside down tonight and take a look I think, have a few thoughts on the trailer; that should be corrected fairly simply, but the hull us another matter.

The second skin I refer to above was a second marine ply skin, not just glassing it...maybe I'll wait whilst I've sanded the paint off and decide what to do when I've seen the rest of it.

*Sigh* Be prepared for a lot of repairing questions over the next few months I think!

haventaclue

Wed, 09/11/2013 - 17:14

http://s1004.photobucket.com/user/merc800nut/library/?sort=2&page=1 Here's what I did.Not sure if it's right or wrong.I squared of the rotted/broken bits to solid ply.As I only used what I had in the garage I didn't have much marine ply and therefore sheathed everything in epoxy resin on the floor and anything above the waterline in Loydds approved polyester resin.I also laid csm and polyester resin inside the buoyancy tanks
When I took the top off I laid csm over the inside of the patches and same outside.Followed by polyester filler above the water line and a paste of epoxy filler below.How long will it last? Probably a lot longer than me.It is a forty three year old Mirror and survived without much care,so if I look after it my grand kids can repair it in forty three years time. And after all that I still have a blooming leak at the base of the centreboard box

mirrorpete

Wed, 09/11/2013 - 22:12

From the last photos it appears as if you have done a great job.

Your great, great, great grandchildren will love it.

Pete

PuffinInTegel's picture

PuffinInTegel

Fri, 09/13/2013 - 12:55

@ Noel (haventaclue)
After my experience with the centreboard case, I suggest you rip it out and do a thorough fix after the season is over (enjoy sailing in the meantime!).
I doctored around at mine for years, only to worsen the rot situation, before finally doing a complete refurbishment (see discussion thread http://forum.mirrordiscussforum.org/comment/123#comment-123 on this forum).
For those who have not bothered to see haventaclue's superb workmanship on Photobucket, here's a sample:

Mirror 21640

mirrorpete

Fri, 09/13/2013 - 19:29

If by seconding my opinion has to do with your great great grandchildren, that is great.

If it has to do with replacing the dagger board casing, then Gernot must get the credit.

Pete

haventaclue

Sat, 09/14/2013 - 19:41

Thank you for the compliments,hope the head doesn't swell too much.lol
I have looked at Gernot's link and will be looking to do that over the winter. The spray paint job is down to a friend of mine.And I'm afraid I claim the rest,mistakes and all.
With my first grandchild on the way,it's unlikely I'll see too many greats.
I read somewhere that we never really own the boat,we only have it on loan as most boats outlive their "owners" I was nine years old when this Mirror was assembled.
PS. When spray painting in your garage,make sure all cupboard doors are closed tight.Anyone know how to get overspray off the sails?lol

mirrorpete

Sat, 09/14/2013 - 19:53

In all probabilty I will not see my oldest grandchild (9 yrs old) get married. I turned 80 last Feb. This past August I gave this grandchild her first sailing lessons. She did quite well. She handled the jib sheets while crewing and when I handled all the sheets she was on the tiller and steered the boat quite well.
Hopefully, next August I will feel comfortable enough in my Mirror to continue her sailing education.

I won't see any greats at all I fear.

Pete

haventaclue

Sun, 09/15/2013 - 12:54

80yrs and still sailing Mirror Dinghy's,I take my hat off to you Sir,and long may you sail in it.

mirrorpete

Sun, 09/15/2013 - 14:33

When I was in the USAF I was an elisted man. No need to call me sir. :-}

haventaclue

Tue, 09/17/2013 - 13:42

Lol :-)

Lin

Sat, 07/12/2014 - 20:01

Lovely to see somebody take the time to rescue a Mirror! You've inspired me to dig into my latest aquisition - a fibreglass mirror!

I discovered over the winter just how much work a wooden version can demand just to get it on the water for one more season. I also found out that despite being a very reasonable sprayer ( custom motorcycles mainly) I'm rubbish at laying on marine paint! :( However the modern two pack high solids lacquer from House of Kolor goes on very nicely, esp all the periferal items like the rudder, dagger board, mast, gaff etc.

I hope my mirror comes out look as good as yours.

regards Lin ( EM British Army :) )