How to repair plywood side of 16ft drift boat when boat rolled over lead anchor in thunderstorm on Deschutes

Side of 16 ft drift was punched in after boat flew out of water in thunderstorm on June 4. and rolled over lead anchor. The outside will be easy to repair by fiberglass and epoxy and paint. My question is with the inside. It has splinters pushing out. I think I can clamp them back together with glue or epoxy but the problem is about 18' below the gunnel. How can I get a clamp to fit over this when it's 18' down?

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Permalink Reply by AJ DeRosa on June 24, 2009 at 7:42am
This is a very good question and we have spent time scratching our heads during boat repair too. This is when you have to get creative, think out of the box. There is always a way to solve the problem. Here's an idea we came up with to solve a clamping puzzle.
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Permalink Reply by Steve Siler on June 24, 2009 at 10:35pm
Thanks for your ideas. You are very creative. I have lots of clamps from building striper kayaks and canoes.
I have used wedges to hold down cedar strips while the glue was drying. This just might work. On my next fishing trip I will tie down my boat from both ends.
Permalink Reply by Karl Mueller on June 24, 2009 at 10:18am
Well, I've got some deep Face/Frame clamps that are carried at home improvement stores like this only much deeper:

http://www.justclamps.com/frame_clamp.htm#1515

When I've had a similar issue I've spread epoxy and used several of these clamps to tighten UHMW to the affected area mashing the epoxy in place and smoothing it. After the epoxy hardens. the UHMW will break away--sometimes you have to give it a bit of a rap to dislodge it. Other than that the UHMW will break away smoothly. I've then evened out whatever rough edges remain by sanding and then refinished. Might work for you. Good luck.
Permalink Reply by lhedrick on June 24, 2009 at 5:48pm
Another method is to push thickened epoxy into the crack or onto any fibers which stick out. Cover the inside and outside with plastic then plywood scrap. Drill small holes through it and use small bolts with larger washers and wing nuts to press everything back together. After removing the bolts and plywood, fill the holes, sand down epoxy with light 4 or 6 ounce glass. Fill and sand till smooth.

Sorry I don't have a photo to post.
Permalink Reply by Steve Siler on June 24, 2009 at 10:43pm
Another good idea. In the past I have used similar technique except with drywell screws instead of bolts.
Thanks!

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