I am in The Bahamas, they are Eduardono boats imported from Columbia. This one is 18 ft, other common sizes here are 14 and 25 ft. The added weight of the deck and foam should improve the ride a bit too.
Well, all the fiberglass work is done! Gelcoated the boat using the method I wrote about above. Came out great. Will continue using the boat with the 40hp tiller until I get around to installing the console with remote steering.
Thanks to everyone who gave me advice! I started this having only...
I will gelcoat the boat tomorrow, so I did a test panel on plywood. First coat unwaxed, sprinkled pumice, then second coat gelcoat with wax. All rolled on. It turned out good. Very hard cure, grippy with wet feet and the dirt washed off very easily. Whisper Grey gelcoat with no wax, MEKP at 2%...
When screwing the console and leaning post onto the deck, will 5200 be sufficient for sealing the screws, or should I look at drilling oversize holes and filling with epoxy first? What epoxy should I use? Or would thickened poly resin be fine for this? Thanks.
Finally finished the deck! Just have to fix some air bubbles then prep it for gelcoat and nonskid. Amazing how much resin it all takes between the deck, stringers, and peanut butter. Used 2 5gal buckets of gp100. The two colors are the different buckets of resin.
Thanks guys. Bottom of deck panels are 1 layer 1.5csm, precoated with resin until tacky before laying the mat. Tabbing is 1.5 csm, then 1808.
I've completed 2/4 of the deck sections so far. The bow section has a layer of 1.5csm, then 4oz cloth.
The second section is only a layer of 1.5 csm...
Been raining lately, so I have only been able to glass in the anchor locker, and fix some bubbles on the deck.
Having a hard time laying csm on the top edge of 1/2 ply. Also, laying large pieces of 4 oz as the finish layer on the deck is difficult due to air bubbles. Do you think 1 layer of...
Thanks all. I did not put resin on the foam, but maybe I'll do it on the other two sections. Each compartment is fully sealed so hopefully won't be an issue.
Thanks! I'll do a coat of unwaxed then waxed on the hull sides, and on the deck I'll do the same but sprinkle pumice for non-skid in between the coats.
Thanks, I will follow that advice. I'm not looking for it to disappear, just to look ok.
I have a gallon of light grey gelcoat with wax.
Would one coat rolled on be sufficient for the deck and hull sides, or do I need to buy some unwaxed gelcoat so I can put down multiple coats?
Best roller...
Here are some photos, I have started grinding! Will be using 2 floor supports/stringers per section with 15/32 marine plywood for the deck, and also 2lb 2part foam for floation.
I'm not relying on the foam for floor support, but if it stiffens everything up that would be great.
