Finished Taping the Seams

Glassing the Hull 003
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

Greg got the front and rear transom joints taped. The corners have six layers of fiberglass on them. They should be able to withstand a direct blast from a nuclear warhead.

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Glassing the Hull

Glassing the Hull 011
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

This picture shows the front half glassed and epoxied. If you look closely at the picture, you can see the line where theres no top layer of epoxy.

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A Significant Setback on our way to a Major Milestone

Glassing the Hull 012
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

We ran out of epoxy. Between applying the base coat to the bare wood, and the bonding coat that bonds the glass cloth to the hull, we went through well over three gallons of epoxy.

This could have some major unintended side effects for us, but Im not sure yet.

The front half of the boat is fine. Im not so sure about the back half. Greg thinks that we can just get more epoxy and continue where we left off. Im concerned that well need to rip up the cloth that didnt get bonded and reapply the cloth. Heres what Im thinking...

Weve got the base layer of epoxy applied to the bare wood. Its also ever-so-slightly bonding the fiberglass cloth to the hull. But Im concerned that its not quite right. Im going to ask Jacques over at the boat forum and get his input. Ill let you know when I get the answer.

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new photos milestone reached

After a couple of days of glueing upside down inside the ladder frame.  I read the next step in the directions more carefully.  apparently I have been working upside down for quite a while.  No matter, the result is a very nice boat. 

I took it off the ladder and removed the forms tonight.  I have to say I am please with the results so far. 

Next will be to glass over the points the frames were at and fair and sand the exterior.  I have decided to glass the entire outside with 6 oz cloth.  the boat is incredibly light right now and can stand the couple of pounds this will add.  Most probably will glass the interior with 4 oz on the bottom panels.  and epoxy the sides prior to painting. 


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forms removed to access the seams.  The boat is easily lifted with one hand at this point in time.  will glass at least the bottom inside and out for durablility.  My life was once saved by a 6 oz layer of glass on wood so will not omit here. 

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Nice lines for rowing.  I cant wait!

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A bit of trimming to do on the bow.  But it came out nicely.

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Transom ready for tape and layer of cloth.

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A Stroke of Luck

Heres the answer from bateau about our epoxy problem.

---Begin Original Text---
If you can get it to wet out, there should not be any problems. The larger white areas are going to be easy, its the spots that have been half way wetted out that will be diffucult to make right - you will have to really work the epoxy into the glass to wet out the dry fibers.
---End Original Text---

They asked for some close-up pics of the area where we had run out of epoxy, (here are links to the pictures 1 2 3 4 5 6 7) they talked among themselves, and the concensus was that we could probably do it, but it would take work.
Note: These pics are very large. Theyll take a minute or so with broadband. If youre using dial-up, make lunch while you wait for the downloads.

Hey, I can handle a little extra work. I was concerned that wed have to cut the cloth, toss out the stuff that wasnt epoxied thoroughly, sand down the transition area, and relay the back section; which would have cost us several extra hours of work and about $50 to $100 in extra fiberglass.

Greg came to the conclusion that we really did have enough epoxy for the job, but we used a grout float instead of a squeegee when we applied the epoxy. After looking at the boat, theres little doubt in my mind that hes right. I agreed with his assessment when I saw how much epoxy had run down the side of the boat. Using a squeegee was easier and faster, but it cost us extra in the long run. Greg had to buy more epoxy than originally anticipated, and its going to cost us a little extra work. I wouldnt disrecommend using a grout float for the big jobs; in fact Id still recommend it. But I would also highly suggest that you double your estimate when you consider how much epoxy youll need for the job. The worst that will happen is that you end up with extra epoxy, which can be used on your next job.

As usual, Ill take more pictures (heck, maybe Ill do a video... were about due for one) and update you on the progress.

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Another Minor Milestone

Taping 002
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

We havent done much the last couple of weeks, because my wife and I went on our honeymoon. Greg did a little work while I was gone, but not a whole lot... mainly a few last-minute things before doing what we did last night... laying tape!

Thats right, we laid tape on the three long seams. Greg said that hed to the transoms today, so we have not only a good physical bond, but a good chemical bond with the epoxy as well.

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