how many layers of glass

[brian3127]

howmany layers of glass should i put on the stringer of my 14 ft tri hull. i know that i should use 1708 but i didnt have that much money. i ended up buying 15sq yards of 8.2oz cloth and i have some about 9 sq yards of chopped strand i can get more of that it was cheap. the glass that was on the stringer looked like it was sprayed on. this boat will only be used on small lakes nothing like lake michigan. i was thinking a layer of 8 oz, chop. 8oz, chop 8 oz. i think the chop. is alittle heavier than the 8 oz. so maybe a total of 50 oz. all the layer

 

[fbnewbie]

Re: how many layers of glass

from my understanding the cloth is there to reinforce the epoxy and make it less prone to cracking/ etc. I don't think you would need that more that 3 layers of fully wetted and embedded cloth along that stringer.

There are some people who probably know better, but there is a point at which you are just pouring money and not strength anymore

 

[ondarvr]

Re: how many layers of glass

It helps to know if your using epoxy or polyester resin.
When looking at the cost of glass you need to see how much it costs per pound, not really per square ft. Cloth is very expensive per lb when compared to other products like roving, so if you pay about the same cost per square ft for 8.oz cloth and 24.oz roving, you're getting 3 times the strength for the same money. With 1708 you're getting more than twice the glass and far more than twice the strength of the 8 oz cloth due to the design of the product, plus little or no need for the mat, so that cost can be eliminated too.

Back to your question though.

On a 14' boat the stringers won't be under the same stress as with a bigger heavier boat with more hp and if they only used mat (chop) to cover the stringers when it was built, then whatever you put back on it will work as long as it's the same or more than what you took off.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: how many layers of glass

If all you're doing is sealing in the wood stringers, you're actually going beyond what you need to. 2 layers of cloth and 1 mat is plenty to lay in the stringers (though where the stringers meet the hull, you might want to add another mat and cloth layer at that joint to reinforce it). If your stringers are hollow like mine are, then you'll want 3 cloth 2 mat at a minimum.

 

[brian3127]

Re: how many layers of glass

it is a solid stinger made out of plywood. i figured i would seal the stringer in when i glass it to the hull all at the same time with 8oz, mat, 8zo, mat, 8oz with a 2 inch overlap on every layer


will that work or should i go more

 

[Coors]

Re: how many layers of glass

Go more; then if the stringer rots, the F/G has the strength that you don't need the rotten wood.
Just seperate it from the mounts, they need wood.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: how many layers of glass

Just remember, the mat goes down first.

 

[brian3127]

Re: how many layers of glass

ok thanks you guys, so its

mat, 8 0z, mat, 8 oz, mat, 8 oz. ect...