Figuring FG & Epoxy

[r1gal]

Hello, Was planning on doing a portion of my boat floor, 19' VIP. It has a couple of softspots I plan on cutting out and fixing. Can anyone tell me how one figures how much glassing material a gal would need to buy (EpoxyResin, Glass tape, etc)? Just need something to go by. Say a 4' x 8' area for example. My area is not this big, just using this as an example.<br />Thanks.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Figuring FG & Epoxy

In My experince,.........<br /><br />You'd might as well Wait on the materials list,...<br />Till you get the hull Openned Up,......<br />The Rot Damage is Usually Much Worse than 1st thought...........<br /><br />Even Then,....... I Always end up Needing about Twice as much materials as I Thought I'd need........

 

[ljshein]

Re: Figuring FG & Epoxy

U of M Gal,<br /><br />I'm with Bondo on waiting. I started to take apart my floor and found no end to the rot. With the exception of the transom, all the wood is being removed from mine. When I started, I had no idea the rot would be this bad. <br /><br />My boat is 18.5 feet, including doing the stringers I figure about 12 yards of glass cloth. I'll proabably order 16 just to be safe. I'm not sure about the epoxy, I thought I would start with 5 gallons and see how far that takes me.<br /><br />Good luck to you!<br />Jeff

 

[r1gal]

Re: Figuring FG & Epoxy

Jeff, Bondo<br />Thanks, that don't sound good, but I figured as much.<br />Jeff, with you doing it yourself, how much you thinking it's going to run you, by the time your done? Also, where will you be getting your supplies from?

 

[glasply1]

Re: Figuring FG & Epoxy

Several things I learned in the two fiberglass projects I completed (wooden boats): Use epoxy resin not polyester; Shop locally for resin and hardener; Include "Duckworks" web site when you're getting estimates for the cloth; Spend $3 for the West Systems book: Fiberglass Boat Repair & Mainenance". (Chapter 3 is on repairing stringers and floors); Buy a little extra, you can always use it on some other boat or other project. There is a great learning curve with fg. Good luck! Remember good ventilation with the epoxy, use gloves and a mask.

 

[r1gal]

Re: Figuring FG & Epoxy

Kewl, Thankyou

 

[valiantjedi]

Re: Figuring FG & Epoxy

I had the same experience. It began with my foot going through the floor on a boat I had just purchased used. I pulled the seats and carpet out and saw the real damage. I ended up replacing everything wooden below the waterline*fiberglass boat*. The previous owner had never used the boat and never drained it. Chipping epoxy sucks btw, get yourself a grinder. If you are going to replace it yourself, get a good mask also since the fumes are toxic. It's not hard to do, just labor intensive. I think the total for my wood and epoxy was around 200, not including tools. After I was done I decided I was just going to redo the whole boat. I'm removing the old paint right now, then I get to fix the engine. I'll post some pictures when I get a place to host them.

 

[ljshein]

Re: Figuring FG & Epoxy

U of M,<br /><br />I'm down to the stringers now, spent a lot of time grinding the hull surface smooth. The stringers are soaked too and so they need to come out. The only wood left in the boat from the original construction will be the transom.<br /><br />So, I'm about to order epoxy and glass cloth. I've herad a few people say nice things about http://www.uscomposites.com/ They prices seem to be significantly better.<br /><br />I figure by the time I'm done I'll have about $500 in and they includes pressure testing the fuel tank and finding the leak.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[r1gal]

Re: Figuring FG & Epoxy

Jeff,valiantjedi,<br />Thanks. Know I'll scared to tear mine out. Stringer damage? Nooooo. Don't even say that. I think if I get to that point and they are bad, I'm just selling this thing. I don't think I'd look forward to messing with those things.