SwampGirl In progress - FINISHED AND WET

AustinPynes · Post by **AustinPynes** » Sat May 24, 2008 3:28 pm

Thanks for the advice. Will follow up on all of it. I have actually read yours and Jacks threads a few times. Great stuff.

I used way too much epoxy on the outside but thats okay, first time and all.

I was wondering whether I should wait to paint. That settles it. Will do one light sand/fairing of the outside and flip her over. Will be glad to get back to some filleting and wood work on the thwarts and breast plates.

Look forward to reading about your next SwampGirl.

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Sat May 24, 2008 4:53 pm

Pyne,

When applying multiple coats of graphite, move your masking tape back about an 1/8" each time to stagger the edges.

AustinPynes · Post by **AustinPynes** » Tue May 27, 2008 4:28 pm

Will be sure and move my tape as I apply the graphite layers.

I mentioned earlier that I kept having bumps in my epoxy as I was trying to put last few coats on the hull after fiberglassing. Never did figure out what caused it but I tried using some of the silica beads stuff and that smoothed it right out. Also seemed to drip less too. So all is good.

Will wait on the graphite bottom until I do the internal work. So I flipped it over last night and removed my tape so I can get started on doing the seams and fiberglassing inside.

Plan on strips of oak for gunnels, slotted internal gunnels and some thick cherry for thwarts.

Finally some more wood working.

tw541 · Post by **tw541** » Tue May 27, 2008 11:22 pm

Austin

Good choice on building the Swamp Girl. I just finished a 14' Girl and am really impressed with it. I can't recommend it enough. With the heat I work in here in the desert, I have found that if I store my epoxy in the house where it is cool, it gives me a little more working time. I mix it in the house and take it to the garage to use. Helps to have an understanding wife. I also keep a bowl of ice to set the mixed epoxy in if I need a little more time. It really extends the life.

AustinPynes · Post by **AustinPynes** » Wed May 28, 2008 7:51 am

Will have to remember about cooling the epoxy off. Here in Austin we are already in the high 90s.

Of course, My birthplace of Yuma, AZ makes this look like a cold front.

When I travel through the Mojave on the motorcycle we usually need cooling vests.

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:36 am

I'll bite - what is a cooling vest? Is it related to a swamp cooler/desert bag?

AustinPynes · Post by **AustinPynes** » Wed May 28, 2008 9:57 am

check them out.
http://www.texascoolvest.com/techinfo.html

Kayak Jack · Post by **Kayak Jack** » Wed May 28, 2008 8:22 pm

Interesting, sounds a bit like Blue ice packs.

AustinPynes · Post by **AustinPynes** » Wed May 28, 2008 10:25 pm

constant temp around your core and lasts about 2hours...perfect for riding across the desert. Was kind of an odd sensation actually. To get this thread back to building maybe I should be using them while I build in my garage since it is so frigging hot there.

AustinPynes · Post by **AustinPynes** » Thu Aug 07, 2008 11:33 pm

Many delays but current state is construction is complete with a good few coats of epoxy on all surfaces. Just need to do some finishing with endless sanding thrown in for good measure and I will be DONE!

Plan on graphiting the bottom, probably paint inside. Thinking applying paint as a coat of epoxy/paint mix if I can make sure I do it evenly. Has anyone tried this? Any paint will do?

I do plan on leaving some wood "bright" (gunwales, thwarts, breasthooks and maybe top section of external sides) for sure but since this is my first with newbie mistakes hidden beneath wood flour I feel it really needs some paint.