Bertram31.com General Bulletin Board

Re: ? for capt Dave K.

Posted By: Capt. Dave Kosh
Date: Friday, 9 June 2006, at 10:42 a.m.

In Response To: ? for capt Dave K. (John Cranston)

Sorry John for the slow reply. This spam makes it harder to view at times.

Yes I used epoxy as recomended by Patrick.The large structial glass was epoxied to the 2 inch square fiberglass tubing only at the hull. At the very top where the sections joined together they were fastend with SS fastners. This is the common practice as I'm told. It allows you to dissassemble easier and provides excellant strength as well. It also allows some lateral movement (in microns) which I understand is important for hull flex. I'm not so sure on that but that's what I think I was told. So epoxy is highly recomended to the hull for best adhesion and strength. You are trying to bond in my case 35 year old fiberglass. In new construction on it's own accord the polyester is fine. Vinyelester is even better.

As far as the engine boxes, walkway, steps etc I gelcoated them first as recomended by Patrick. The rough edges were filled in with thickened epoxy and smoothed. Then I primed them with one coat of Awlgrip 545 epoxy primer. The two coats of Imron were applied with a good roller. The Awlgrip roller catalyst works well for this with the Imron mixed. The tops of the engine boxes have a rough finish for safety and the walkway topcoat was applied with non skid and taped at the edges for asthetics. I propably did not use enough non skid as the Imron is a little glossy and therefore a little more slippery. So you may want to make sure you mix enough plastic non skid in the final coat. I love that Nidacore that is some product and strong too. I still don't have any insulation in my boxes yet and with the 3/4" Honeycomb it's not too bad . I will need insulation however. It only takes money and more and more. But hey you only live once and might as well make it good!

Hope this answers your questions John.

Dave K

Messages In This Thread

? for capt Dave K.
John Cranston -- Friday, 2 June 2006, at 8:17 a.m.

Re: ? for capt Dave K.
Capt. Dave Kosh -- Friday, 9 June 2006, at 10:42 a.m.