Repairing Hole in Deck

[boatnamesue]

Suggestions for filling/repairing this hole.  The hole was there when I bought the boat and i keep an expanding rubber plug in it.  But of course this doesn't do the job needed.  The deck is original '76 materials.  The hole is 1.5" diameter and 0.75" deep. 

Couple things to keep in mind:  I do not have matching deck paint.  The previous owner mixed and painted himself.  I'm really not concerned with the repaired hole anesthetics, but I also do not wish to sand off surrounding paint.  The hole is located in between the stringers, so I have easy underneath access for repair via the hatch access port you see pictured. 

Thanks in advance!

[love2fish]

assuming this is at the aft end of the deck- next to the transom trough, providing access to your bilge... first thoughts and maybe the easiest fix... order a square/rectangular access hatch that is big enough to allow you to cut out the existing circular access hatch that is in the picture and also the un-desired hole in question.


otherwise, you will have to grind/bevel back the perimeter of the hole, put a backer of some time under it, and start layering glass. then sand, and paint.

[wingtime]

At the very least you need to seal the edges of the wood core with epoxy so it does not rot.

[boatnamesue]

At the very least you need to seal the edges of the wood core with epoxy so it does not rot.

My plan is to cut it out, as the previuos reply suggested.  Install a rectangular hatch.  It would be nice to have a larger access hatch to bige anyway.   

I'll seal the hatch with silicone, but do you also recommend sealing the edges of the wood core with epoxy before installing hatch? 

[CTsalt12]

At the very least you need to seal the edges of the wood core with epoxy so it does not rot.

My plan is to cut it out, as the previuos reply suggested.  Install a rectangular hatch.  It would be nice to have a larger access hatch to bige anyway.   

I'll seal the hatch with silicone, but do you also recommend sealing the edges of the wood core with epoxy before installing hatch?

Silicone you'll have to do ever 3 years or so, epoxy you can do once and have peace of mind.  I would probably just epoxy in a wood plug that fits the size, or you could use marine tex which also have the benefit of being white.  Be careful with a square hatch, they don't generally have as 'waterproof' of a seal as a screw in type round hatch.