> do i fill the void with epoxy Shmutz-- and then
> reglass--or would cutting a ruff match of ply and filling the void
> with that -then glassing over it be better?

> I bought this boat used --and have no idea of the type of material
> was used-- I suspect it was done using Polyester----and Luan.

> Well I look forward to responces-- and thanks in advance-- Steve

If you just use epxoy it will wither run all over the place, or leave a mis-shaped, hard-to-sand lump. It is better to fill with a piece of wood that matches the color of the current wood. Cut around the bad area until you are in good wood. Fill the hole with a piece of wood, or several pieces of wood. Fit them as best you can. A neat job ehre will save time later. You can use plywood, or solid wood. Use epoxy to hold the wood in place. Sand the patch to round the edges, and restore the shape back to the original lines of the boat. While you are at it, sand into the surrounding fiberglass, tapering a `feather edge' in about a 2 inch band surrounding the area. Cover with a piece of fiberglass cloth that overlaps this sanded area by about an inch on all side. When the first coat of resin has hardened, sand the edges of the patch smooth with the hull. You want a tapering feather edge here, again. Put on two or three more coats of resin to fill the weave and finish up with some light sanding and paint or varnish.

Keep an eye out for other areas of rot, and fix them as you find them. The boat should last for many years that way. When you get a lot of patches on the hull, quit using varnish. Paint the thing and no one will see them.

Paul Jacobson