glassing the whole boat, or just tape?

[bobmc3]

Hello all, new to the forum and still a rookie boat builder. Just started the laker 13, been trying to decide if my 5mm lowes luan will hold up ok without fiberglassing the whole boat, just taping. This is my first stitch and glue project so I really dont know what to expect as far as the strength of the finished kayak. The ply is good for the type, no voids and clearly composed of three plys. I am sure that it is a good idea to fiberglass the whole thing but would like to save the money on resin if a reasonably strong craft could be made with by only taping the seams. Sure would appreciate any advice in this area. Thanks a bunch

Bob

[Oldsparkey]

Bob....

If you just want to tape it then you will have the edges of the tape to sand smooth to have a good finish. YES... It will require less glass by doing it that way but in the long run down a lot of water ways the boat will not have the protection it needs. Step or choice #1.

There is only one way of doing that , completely fiberglass the outside of it and tape the inside along with epoxy saturating it. Step or choice #2.

Now if you really want some protection for your boat then glass the inside also. The more glass you use the better the protection for the wood. Step or choice #3 and the best one.

Lets say you only do the outside and while paddling run up on something that makes the wood flex , Great the bottom is protected but the wood inside has nothing to help it resist that so it could get some small cracks which over time will rot your boat. Or some larger cracks which will make you think about a bailing device.

Think of the fiberglass as a coat of armor for it , the better the protection , the longer it will take some abuse and last.

Builders choice since you know what and where you will be paddling the boat you created.

I have made then all the three ways , the one I like the best is the step or choice # 3. It offers a lot of piece of mind when you run up on something and get stuck. I sure don't want to swim down a river on a 5 day paddling and camping trip.

Chuck.

[jem]

You could just tape the seams but like chuck said, you'd get a stronger boat with fiberglass cloth covering everything.

But a good kayak can be built with just taping the seams. Might want to give her a good inspection after each tie you use it.

6mm exterior grade is the thinnest you should really go for the hull bottom if you're just taping the seams. Be careful if you go thinner.

[Guest]

hey, thanks a lot guys, its really nice to hear from the people who have already been down those roads, (or water ways in this case). I am really excited about this boat, time to do it right, fiberglass the whole thing. Thanks again
Bob

[hairymick]

G'day Bob,

and welcome.

Laker is a magnificent kayak and I am certain you will love her to bits.

I think you can possibly get away with taping only, but why would you want to?

You are investing a LOT of work and into this boat. At a minimum, i would recommend completely encapsulating the hull and decks with epoxy resin - several coats in addition to taping her. this will protect your cheap ply and make it significantly stronger.

A few extra bucks spent now WILL SAVE from heartbreak later.

[craiggamesh]

A good way to save money on resin is to buy it here:

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/supplies/ep ... /index.htm

I used west system for my first boat and it cost me almost 3 times as much. Also, every coat I did had an amine blush by the time I was able to do the next coat. I have built 3 boats with the Marinepoxy slow hardener, and it has never "blushed" on me. I am currently using it on my cedar strip canoe which will be the fourth.

The last batch I bought, I did a mixed kit with both slow and fast. They were not kidding when the called it fast. I only use the fast for making fillets with wood flour or when its cold. Now that it is warm, I quit using the fast all together unless I am making a very small batch.

I have had a good experience with it and intend to keep using it. However, I can only speak for myself.

The fiberglass at that site is also very well priced. I love the 4 oz.

[Guest]

Thanks Mick and Craig. I am definitely going to glass the entire boat. I have been searching for the best prices on epoxy. I have looked at duckworks and really like their site, lots of good stuff. Have you guys ever shopped with clark craft? They offer a product called epoxy plus for about 56 bucks a gallon. They claim that it wont blush. Once again thanks for the input, really good to have some feedback from people who have been there.

Bob

[hairymick]

Mate, I have never heard of the Clark mob.

I trust Chuck and Sandra and have bought most of my fittings and fibreglass cloth from them. I would buy their resin if I could import it to Aus. as well. This is the resin they use to build their own boats and if it is good enough for them, I am confident it woud be fine.

I use the West Systems premium resin to good result and have had a lot of discussion with their staff. Allways very helpful. From what they tell me, some of the cheaper epoxy resins are not marine grade and are inferior. Of course, they are promoting their own product and that is perfectly OK by me.

My first build, I did with International HT9000 resin which is promoted by International Paints as being the good stuff. It worked fine but blushed very badly.

[jem]

I haven't heard anything good or bad about the Clark products. I believe they have some 1:1 mix ratio stuff which is nice for easy mixing.

Check out http://www.epoxyusa.com/category_s/3.htm

I've used it and it works pretty good.

[craiggamesh]

I have never used the Clark stuff. I have been very happy with the Marinepoxy from Duckworks. I almost tried the US composites stuff, but it wasn't significantly cheaper, so I stayed with what I know. I have heard others have had good luck with it. I just wasn't brave enough to try something new.