ABYC Fiberglass Boat Repair
Certification Exam With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers, Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified
For Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
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1. What is the primary resin used in most fiberglass boat repairs?
A. Polyurethane
B. Polyester
C. Epoxy
D. Vinyl ester
Answer: Polyester
Rationale: Polyester resin is most commonly used in fiberglass boat
construction and repair due to its ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and
compatibility with standard fiberglass cloth.
2. Which type of fiberglass cloth provides the highest strength-to-
weight ratio?
A. Chopped strand mat
B. Woven roving
C. Felt mat
D. Knitted fiberglass
Answer: Woven roving
Rationale: Woven roving has fibers aligned in specific directions, giving
,it superior strength and stiffness compared to randomly oriented
chopped strand mats.
3. What is the main purpose of a gelcoat on a fiberglass boat?
A. Increase structural strength
B. Provide a smooth, protective finish
C. Seal the fiberglass from water absorption
D. Add flexibility to the hull
Answer: Provide a smooth, protective finish
Rationale: Gelcoat serves as the outer protective layer, providing UV
protection, water resistance, and aesthetic finish, but it does not
significantly add structural strength.
4. Which method is best for repairing small surface cracks in
gelcoat?
A. Fiberglass layup
B. Gelcoat filling
C. Heat welding
D. Epoxy infusion
Answer: Gelcoat filling
Rationale: Small surface cracks in gelcoat are typically repaired using
matching gelcoat filler, which restores the smooth finish without full
structural reinforcement.
5. What is the primary hazard associated with polyester resin during
repairs?
A. Electrical conductivity
B. Flammability and toxic fumes
C. Water absorption
D. Loss of structural strength
,Answer: Flammability and toxic fumes
Rationale: Polyester resin is highly flammable and emits styrene vapors,
which are toxic and require proper ventilation and protective
equipment.
6. When bonding new fiberglass to old, the old surface must be:
A. Painted first
B. Cleaned and sanded
C. Left smooth
D. Heated to 200°F
Answer: Cleaned and sanded
Rationale: Proper adhesion requires removing contaminants and
roughening the surface to allow mechanical and chemical bonding of
new fiberglass layers.
7. Which tool is typically used to remove damaged gelcoat?
A. Heat gun
B. Screwdriver
C. Orbital sander
D. Chisel
Answer: Orbital sander
Rationale: An orbital sander efficiently removes damaged gelcoat while
minimizing damage to the underlying fiberglass.
8. Which is a common sign of osmotic blistering in fiberglass boats?
A. Surface cracks
B. Blisters filled with water
C. Gelcoat fading
D. Fiberglass delamination
, Answer: Blisters filled with water
Rationale: Osmotic blistering occurs when water penetrates the gelcoat
and reacts with chemicals in the laminate, forming fluid-filled blisters.
9. What type of fiberglass mat is easiest to conform to complex
curves?
A. Woven roving
B. Chopped strand mat
C. Biaxial cloth
D. Uni-directional cloth
Answer: Chopped strand mat
Rationale: Chopped strand mat consists of randomly oriented fibers in a
binder, making it flexible and easy to mold over complex shapes.
10. For structural repairs, which resin is generally preferred over
polyester?
A. Vinyl ester
B. Epoxy
C. Polyurethane
D. Acrylic
Answer: Epoxy
Rationale: Epoxy resin offers superior adhesion, moisture resistance,
and strength, making it ideal for structural repairs compared to
polyester.
11. What is the purpose of using a peel ply in fiberglass layups?
A. Increase UV resistance
B. Create a textured surface for secondary bonding
C. Reduce resin content
D. Add strength
Certification Exam With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers, Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified
For Guaranteed 100% Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary resin used in most fiberglass boat repairs?
A. Polyurethane
B. Polyester
C. Epoxy
D. Vinyl ester
Answer: Polyester
Rationale: Polyester resin is most commonly used in fiberglass boat
construction and repair due to its ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and
compatibility with standard fiberglass cloth.
2. Which type of fiberglass cloth provides the highest strength-to-
weight ratio?
A. Chopped strand mat
B. Woven roving
C. Felt mat
D. Knitted fiberglass
Answer: Woven roving
Rationale: Woven roving has fibers aligned in specific directions, giving
,it superior strength and stiffness compared to randomly oriented
chopped strand mats.
3. What is the main purpose of a gelcoat on a fiberglass boat?
A. Increase structural strength
B. Provide a smooth, protective finish
C. Seal the fiberglass from water absorption
D. Add flexibility to the hull
Answer: Provide a smooth, protective finish
Rationale: Gelcoat serves as the outer protective layer, providing UV
protection, water resistance, and aesthetic finish, but it does not
significantly add structural strength.
4. Which method is best for repairing small surface cracks in
gelcoat?
A. Fiberglass layup
B. Gelcoat filling
C. Heat welding
D. Epoxy infusion
Answer: Gelcoat filling
Rationale: Small surface cracks in gelcoat are typically repaired using
matching gelcoat filler, which restores the smooth finish without full
structural reinforcement.
5. What is the primary hazard associated with polyester resin during
repairs?
A. Electrical conductivity
B. Flammability and toxic fumes
C. Water absorption
D. Loss of structural strength
,Answer: Flammability and toxic fumes
Rationale: Polyester resin is highly flammable and emits styrene vapors,
which are toxic and require proper ventilation and protective
equipment.
6. When bonding new fiberglass to old, the old surface must be:
A. Painted first
B. Cleaned and sanded
C. Left smooth
D. Heated to 200°F
Answer: Cleaned and sanded
Rationale: Proper adhesion requires removing contaminants and
roughening the surface to allow mechanical and chemical bonding of
new fiberglass layers.
7. Which tool is typically used to remove damaged gelcoat?
A. Heat gun
B. Screwdriver
C. Orbital sander
D. Chisel
Answer: Orbital sander
Rationale: An orbital sander efficiently removes damaged gelcoat while
minimizing damage to the underlying fiberglass.
8. Which is a common sign of osmotic blistering in fiberglass boats?
A. Surface cracks
B. Blisters filled with water
C. Gelcoat fading
D. Fiberglass delamination
, Answer: Blisters filled with water
Rationale: Osmotic blistering occurs when water penetrates the gelcoat
and reacts with chemicals in the laminate, forming fluid-filled blisters.
9. What type of fiberglass mat is easiest to conform to complex
curves?
A. Woven roving
B. Chopped strand mat
C. Biaxial cloth
D. Uni-directional cloth
Answer: Chopped strand mat
Rationale: Chopped strand mat consists of randomly oriented fibers in a
binder, making it flexible and easy to mold over complex shapes.
10. For structural repairs, which resin is generally preferred over
polyester?
A. Vinyl ester
B. Epoxy
C. Polyurethane
D. Acrylic
Answer: Epoxy
Rationale: Epoxy resin offers superior adhesion, moisture resistance,
and strength, making it ideal for structural repairs compared to
polyester.
11. What is the purpose of using a peel ply in fiberglass layups?
A. Increase UV resistance
B. Create a textured surface for secondary bonding
C. Reduce resin content
D. Add strength
