PocketShip.net

Our kit just arrived last week and we’re excited to get started. I’ve been through the manual a couple times and have started writing down some questions. I’ve also been looking up some utube videos on fiberglassing. They’ve generally instruct me to apply an unthickened layer of epoxy to the panel first and then roll out the glass cloth. What are the correct steps in order...apoxy first or glass clothe first?

I’m a novice , which may actually be good as I’m well aware of the learning curve.

My understanding is you don’t need to precoat the wood if you use a low viscosity epoxy like MAS as it easily penetrates the fiberglass weave.

I’d suggest looking at the Tips For Boatbuilders on the CLC site. There are several entries on epoxy and fiberglass. Also watch some of the videos of building various CLC boats as they all use the same basic techniques.

And, of course, look through the forum and the build blogs. I’ve seen some great ideas and learned a lot through them. You’ll also find out there the few places where the manual is a bit incorrect, confusing, or out of step.

On whether or not to pre-coat with epoxy, there are strong adherents (pun not intended) to both approaches, with both making seemongly claims about the superiority of their method for sealing the wood and creating a strong bond. I find that for the low viscosity resin and lighter weights of fiberglass like the 6oz used in PocketShip, that it is quickest and easiest to skip precoating.

Either way, you won't screw anything up. If you want, you can experiment with the centerboard and trunk: precoat one and apply on bare wood with the other.

Go to Red Barn Boats on You tube .

Red Barn Boats has a lot of videos!

Again, I'm a novice. Watching a few of his videos, I did pick up some of the 'zen' of laying out fiberglass. I don't think I have been patient enough in laying it out and letting it conform to the surface. This video is a good example of his technique:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aexxZdv780o

I'm fiberglassing the rudder now and I am needing to make the fiberglass go around some tight curves. It's amazing what it can do if you take your time.