Update: Glassed the outside today

[VTFogg]

It's been quite a while since I worked on the boat, but I finally made time to lay the glass cloth on the outside today. I did it in one piece, and initially it was a bit nerve wracking. Once I got into it though, it all was good. I used only a soft plastic "bondo" squegee, and it worked really well.

I've only got one coat on, but here are some pictures:

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283 ... -07003.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283 ... -07005.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283 ... -07006.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283 ... -07007.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283 ... -07008.jpg

http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s283 ... -07010.jpg

After reading some of the posts, I was expecting the worst. Maybe that's why I held off on doing this for so long. I made 3 ounces of epoxy at a time, and drizzled it on with a popsicle stick. The soft bondo squeegee blade allowed me to work the epoxy into the cloth to fully wet it, and then to pull off any excess. The sides being vertical were definitely a bit more of a challenge as were the ends, but I think you'll find the first coat results to be ok.

I hope to get a couple more coats on the outside this week tinted green courtesy of RAKA.

 

[hairymick]

Love ya work Foggy. Lookin real nice mate.

 

[Kayak Jack]

Nice looking job, Foggy.

 

[VTFogg]

Thanks Mick & Jack. To all those that follow and are worrying about this step I say don't worry, it's not that bad. Slow down, Start in the middle of the bottom, drizzle it on, work it in and pull off the excess. The biggest tip I can offer on the sides is to start at the middle top, working out to each side so that you get a 2 -3 foot section going, then progress down toward the rub rail.

I hope to put another coat on tonight. Should I mix the graphite in for the bottom starting on the second coat? How about the green tint for the sides?

Thanks everyone for all your help. This is a great forum Chuck. I'm thinking about JEM Watercraft Buccaneer or Gander River Canoe for my next project. Only problem is that without a hatchway, building those in the basement is out of the question, and wife needs to park her car in the garage especially in the winter. Hmmmm, what to do.

VTFogg

 

[oldsparkey]

Looking at the pictures , now the hard part is over with and you can get the fun stuff.

Chuck.

 

[cctyer]

Thanks for the tips and pics Foggy, I will be there soon enough and it seems like your glass went on nice and smooth. I hope to achieve the same results. Good luck on the rest and please keep us posted I love to see others builds coming along.

Chad

 

[Kayak Jack]

... Only problem is that without a hatchway, building those in the basement is out of the question, and wife needs to park her car in the garage especially in the winter. Hmmmm, what to do.

Choice "A" Get done before the snow flies.

Choice "B" Build a shed

Choice "C Convince your wife that she really doesn't need to be in the garage in cold WX.

Choice "D" Move to a different clime.