Exhaust pipe

[Jburt]

Fiberglass exhaust pipe has crack how to repair

[jpwhit]

Prep the surface 2-3 inches around the crack with a grinder to smooth it out and clean off any oil, dirt, and grime. Then use a standard fiberglass repair kit to patch over the crack with 2-3 layers of fiberglass cloth and resin. Don't use a fancy epoxy resin because that won't stand up to the heat as well. Use the standard polyester resin.

[BasaltRMK]

The knowledge on this site from the likes of folks such as jpwhit and bturner never ceases to amaze me. You guys have forgotten more about boat maintenance than I'll ever know, and I'm a pretty mechanical guy who wrenches on all his toys. Thanks to NautiqueJeff for creating a forum to pass along all this knowledge.

- bob

[jpwhit]

Thanks BasaltRMK, you're too kind.

My grandfather owned an automobile garage and also had a Larson run-about from before I was born. So, I've grown up around boats and cars my whole life. My family was also the type where if something broke, you just fixed it. Heck, I didn't even know there were people who would come to your house and fix stuff until maybe junior high school.

I also grew up spending at least half of my summer camping at the lake boating and doing watersports. Because of that, from as long as I can remember I've had two big goals. I've always wanted to have a house on the lake that could serve as the gathering point for the family. And I've always wanted to retire in my 50s so I could enjoy it and spend a majority of my time with family and grandkids.

Those goals were a driving force for me through my education and career. And I feel extremely fortunate to have accomplished both. And I was very conscience planning for retirement in that I had a plan for spending my time in a way that made me feel productive, and when I looked back, I didn't feel like I'd wasted my time in any way. I've always liked helping people so spending time contributing to forum is one of many ways I try to "give back".

I've also always been fiercely independent and really don't like not knowing how things work and it really bothers me if I have to rely on someone else to fix anything. So I do all my own home remodeling work at my houses and my kids houses including installing my own HVAC systems, electrical work, plumbing, solar, etc, as well as my boats and cars.

Another thing that I really like, and is a key retirement objective for me, is always learning more and new stuff. Anyway, this is just the stuff that "floats my boat"....

[BasaltRMK]

jpwhit - thanks so much for sharing some of your background; I was grinning and feeling nostalgic reading your post. Likewise, I spent weekends as a kid wrenching on cars and boats and lawnmowers with my dad (not necessarily by choice), though I don't have near the level of expertise as you, bturner , and others here. These days I'm a lot more adept at 2-strokes, I have sleds and dirt bikes to keep me turning a wrench on weekends. And I hate the idea of ever paying someone to fix something that I can do myself!

Sounds like you've done very well for yourself, and that you earned it - congrats. I just turned 50, and hope to follow your retirement plan. Built my own house about 15 years ago now up above a mountain lake, so I've got that one notched.

Keep the advice and stories and inspiration coming!

- bob