Narrow Boat Hull Repair: A Case Study

5th December 2024

A 12 metre narrow boat required repairs as part of its 5 year renovation, focusing on the hull below the waterline. Upon cleaning, it was found that the metal substrate had become severely pitted due to corrosion. To address this, a narrow boat hull repair was carried out using a epoxy paste for resurfacing, followed by a high build anti-corrosive top coat. This approach avoided the need for steel plate over welding.

Resimac’s Narrow Boat Hull Repair Solution

The surface was pressure washed, followed by abrasive blast cleaning to SA2 standards (SSPC SP6) using aluminium oxide, creating an angular profile with a 50-micron depth.
302 Epoxy Repair Paste was applied to rebuild all corroded, pitted areas, restoring the metal surface.
501 CRSG was applied in two coats to provide long term anti-corrosive protection.

Application Details

The hull was water jetted to remove marine growth and contaminants. After drying, abrasive blasting was performed to achieve a suitable profile for adhesion. Despite the environmental conditions, there was no issue with flash rusting or steel degradation. The 302 Epoxy Repair Paste was applied to all pitted areas, initially over applied, then dressed flush after curing. The surface was smoothed with abrasive pads. Two coats of 501 CRSG were applied by brush and roller, achieving a dry film thickness of 500 microns. The entire repair process, including curing, was completed within 6 days.

Products Used

Results and Benefits

The use of 302 Epoxy Repair Paste and 501 CRSG restored the narrow boat’s hull, offering a cost effective solution to avoid steel plate over welding. The anti-corrosive topcoat provided long lasting protection, ensuring that the narrow boat hull repair was completed efficiently. The vessel was returned to the water within 6 days, including a 2 day cure period.