Silly little question.........Termites?

C

cemiii

New member
I was out today polishing the ox off the old boat when I found about a 1/4 inch round hole straight up under the top chine (starboard) just behind the cabin. Looking back there is another almost exact duplicate hole about 4 feet back from the first.

I thought these must have been designed possibly as drains for the gunnels, so I went to see if there weren't two in the port side as well. Nope.

Any idea of what these may be from, or for? Maybe these were for some manufacturing purpose like holding the hull in place on the forms and the gel patches fell out? or maybe this is particular to my boat due to a prior owner? Curious if anyone knows.

At any rate, if it is termites, I guess I'll go ahead and 5200 the little buggers in there!
 
Polyestermites. Fiberglass eating termites. They were first reported in Sail Magazine in the late 60's--one of the first issues if I recollect. Fortunately it was proven to be a hoax. Termites are common in boats, but only in the wood. I would use something like Marine Tex, rather than 5200, but even Marine tex will not match the color--gel coat after epoxy filler is better.
 
It is possible that the holes are air bubbles under the gel coat.

Eventually the thin gelcoat skin breaks and reveals the hole.

I would probe and scrape out the holes, and fill with an epoxy as Bob has suggested.
 
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