Page 1 of 1

Below water wood filler

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 12:03 pm
by Steve Johnson
97% finished my restoration on 63 Custom Ski Boat. There is a stainless steel "rub rail" on the bow that runs from the top deck down along the keel for about 4 feet. (keeps bow from damage) I have a couple of screws holding this "rub rail" that have stripped out. These are below the waterline. I need some type of wood filler to fill the screw holes so I can re-attach the rail with new screws. Any ideas on what to use?

Re: Below water wood filler

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 12:09 pm
by tuobanur
I would use epoxy to fill the holes, drill the holes out just a bit larger and fill.

Re: Below water wood filler

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:05 pm
by Doug P
dowels/bungs....epoxied in

Re: Below water wood filler

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:18 pm
by Steve Johnson
Thanks to all. Screw holes are too small for dowels so think I will fill with epoxy and drill pilot holes for screws. Any recommendations on your favorite epoxy?

Re: Below water wood filler

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 1:37 pm
by joanroy
West System

Re: Below water wood filler

Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 3:18 pm
by robertpaul
Might be easier to enlarge the holes in the ss rail and use a larger and longer screw. If that fails to get purchase then dowelling the hole would be my first choice of repair but I would first investigate why the larger screw failed to hold. Epoxy will work too, but it won't 'give' for the fastener so ensure the pilot hole is large enough.

Re: Below water wood filler

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:43 am
by jbyers
Marine Tex........... ??

Re: Below water wood filler

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 11:55 am
by maritimeclassics
We use filler sticks out of mahogany, there easy to do with just a scrap and a sander. Dowels are end grain and will wick moisture and if you buy them usually there substandard wood or you have to spend some money for mahogany ones. The problem with epoxy is when it dries it's brittle and will crack in the hole even if you pre-drilled. The best way Iv'e found is to use the same type of wood and make a bunch of little filler sticks and glue them in with tightbond.

Re: Below water wood filler

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 1:07 pm
by Steve Johnson
Thanks everyone for their help. The 2 screws failed because previous owner drove boat over something hard that ripped them out. Thank goodness for the rub rail that saved the bottom of the boat.
Recently did some home remodeling to 1970's house that had mahogany trim. Saved a bunch of door trim and used some to make bungs that had fallen out of boat. Might try to use that to fill holes and then re-sink new screws.

Re: Below water wood filler

Posted: Mon Apr 10, 2017 2:30 pm
by Doug P
jbyers wrote:Marine Tex........... ??
A cowboy with a boat? 8)