Wet hull

Question
We bought our Doral Cavalier 4 yrs. ago from a dealer.  We were new boaters and our insurance co. didn't require a survey so we didn't get one. We tried a survey recently because we wanted to sell the boat and the surveyor found a crack in the hull, near the keel and says the hull is wet, some areas, he says are saturated.  This means I guess we have to keep this boat ourselves.  It's very dry in the bilge.  We've never had a problem with water in the boat.  I'd like to fill the crack and use bottom paint to hopefully prolong the boat's life.   The crack edges are together (not opened up).  What would you suggest we fill them with and what type of bottom paint should we use?  We are in fresh water.

Answer
Dear Janice,

I would use 100% solid epoxy with some silica flower to make it thicker and putty it into your crack then cover with wax paper and tape until it hardens.  Once hard I would sand it flush and check to make sure you have a complete seal.  Then I would sand the bottom with 100 grit purple 3M paper and a palm sander.  Next put two coats of a 50%  solids epoxy and then two coats of a Teflon Urethane coating for a lasting seal.  (up to 11 years.)  For information you can go to www.boat-bottom-paint.com

Best of Luck

Harvey Chichester
Coast Guard Auxiliary