JEM Watercraft

I sure like the looks of the wood in your boat, that is something, antique and older then the hills look but brand new.
It will be a head turner everywhere you take it.

My bet ....... Is when it is on top of your car and you stop someplace, people are going to come over and touch it for a better look. Some reason folks think they can see a wood boat better with there fingertips.

Then get ready for the ...... Where did you buy it? , Who makes them? , Where can I get one?

WHAT ...........YOU MADE IT ????..... I wish I could do that.

Chuck.

My bet ....... Is when it is on top of your car and you stop someplace, people are going to come over and touch it for a better look. Some reason folks think they can see a wood boat better with there fingertips.

Then get ready for the ...... Where did you buy it? , Who makes them? , Where can I get one?

WHAT ...........YOU MADE IT ????..... I wish I could do that.

Too right mate I couldn't agree more. I just love the look of a beautifully made wooden boat Ive said it before and I'll say it again here. such style,grace and symmetry - in beautiful, organic wood. I call it - class

Thanks, guys.
Matt, I was *VERY* tempted to go back out there at 10pm and add another coat, believe me! The main thing that stopped me was that I ran out of rollers!

Chuck, someone tries to touch my boat, they might pull back a stump Actually, I understand the urge to touch the glassy smoothness.

Mick, I couldn't agree more. Wood is beautiful.

I checked the boat this morning before leaving for work - amazing! It's very stiff (and glossy) with just the one coat. I can imagine how strong it will be after two more coats, not to mention glassing the inside. I'm wondering if I can *cough* get "sick" and *sneeze* go home early to work on it

I'm wondering if I can *cough* get "sick" and *sneeze* go home early to work on it

Yep, sounds like you caught a bug or something to me. If the boss questions you about it tell him doctor hairy told you to.

Since Ernesto is going to pass farther West of me, means closer to you. Maybe you will get a "tropical storm day off" tomorrow

Good looking boat, love that wood also. Kinda neat building something brand new, that all ready "looks" like it has seen quite a few years.

DM

DM - Man, I loved Dangermouse! Awesome show. Penfold was my hero.
Unfortunately, our company president already announced that we'll be open tomorrow. Darn it.

Still, we put 2 more coats on the boat tonight. One right after work, and the other about 11 pm. Shiny Shiny!
I'm seeing some drips and unevenness. Kym says, "Leave it alone! You're too much of a perfectionist. You'll end up taking the whole thing down to bare wood."

Yeah, ten-foot finish and all that. I confess I'm guilty as charged.
So tomorrow we'll put the graphite coat on. I can always touch it up at the end if it still bothers me. I'm counting the days!
Wed: flip over, sand & penetration coat on inside. flip back and put Graphite coat on bottom.
Thu: Glass the inside. (Remember to tape off the gunwale areas).
Fri: 2 more coats on inside. Cut wood for gunwales, breasthooks, thwarts.
Sat: Install Gunwales, Breasthooks, thwarts.
Sun: Test on the water??? Is that possible? Am I missing something? Well yeah, the seats - but they're on their way and they're optional. I paddled many a canoe sitting on a cooler or on my knees.

Yeah, I'll probably want a couple extra epoxy coats on gunwales, etc, but that can be done Sunday after the official water test.
Hey! Monday is Labor Day - I don't have to work. Could I actually be ready for a maiden voyage?

How long does epoxy have to dry before it's fully hard? Do I have to wait for the following weekend?

Javier,

You'll want three coats of graphite-enriched epoxy on the bottom before you're done. All should be within 12-72 hours of each other.

Let the whole thing be for a month or so to let it all harden, then sand & varnish it.

Javier;
Drips in cured epoxy are easy to take care of. Use a carbide paint scraper. I like the Warner tool model 808 (with the tri-angular blade). Blade is 1 inch along the flat. Scrapers like these are usually kept in the paint dept of the hardware stores. I got mine from Ace hardware.


Or use a cabinet scraper


Both work good at shaving down the drip and runs and not affecting the area around it drip, like using sand paper does.

I dont think taking it out for a quick test would be a problem, just be aware that the epoxy is still impressionable and tie-down straps may leave impressions (esp, in the hot sun). You may want to do the test run before the graphite. Then clean it off good, do the graphite, let it sit for the month, sand & varnish

DM

Give it a month before sand & varnish...check. Three coats of graphite....check.

Cabinet scraper! Great idea. I have one of those, why didn't I think of that?


1) How long before I can put it in the water, though? 24 hours after I apply the last coat of epoxy? More? Less? Lucky for me I'm lakefront....well, retention-pond-front anyways. Enough water to float a canoe, even paddle a dozen strokes. So I can do water-tests every easily.

2) Graphite - how much to use? I think the RAKA recommendation was 20% by volume. Seems about right? Is there a particular color or consistency I'm trying to get?

24 hours should be plenty before you put it in the water. 12 hours should actually do the trick. If it doesn't feel tacky or a little gummy any more, you'll be ok. Watch out for rocks and stuff that first run.

Graphite: Mix it in until it's like room temperature syrup. That's always worked about right for me. I recommend mixing the epoxy, resin and hardener FIRST. THEN add graphite AFTER to 2 parts of the epoxy are mixed.

You're first coat will be a little transparent still, but not much. 2nd coat should make it solid black. 3rd coat is for insurance.