Glen-L.com

I am finishing a Barnegat Bay Sneakbox. If you are not familiar with this boat, it is a floating duck blind. When finished it will be a color called River Mud. I want to encapsulate the entire boat. The question is can I use fiberglass cloth on the seems only (preffered) or should I use it on the entire boat. The boat is 12'6" long and 54" beem. I have never done this before. I coated the interior.The boat will not be left in the water.

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Gary

What I like about fiberglassing:

1. Adds a LOT of abraision resistance... protects the wood underneath from abraision.
2. Ensures you get a uniform thickness of epoxy... increasing the water-resistance and longevity of the material.

What I don't like about fiberglassing:

1. Adds time (application & sanding)
2. Adds cost (but not much)
3. Adds weight (but not much)

I don't view fiberglassing as a 'strengthening' method, although it certainly will add some... its more of a 'protection & durability' method.

I don't fiberglass over solid lumber.. because on solid lumber I can always sand it down and re-finish it (depending on thickness of course)

However I am fiberglassing over my plywood hull & deck and flooring... because I want to protect the plywood underneath and minimize the chances of exposure.

That said.. for your size of boat.. I'd do it all or not at all. Doing the corners only requires you to feather the edges back to make a smooth transition.. that is where a lot of the 'work' is involved. I'd do it all!

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Ian (aka Iggy)
My Malahini Build

I'd do it all(over the plywood)

The two boats I built using DF plywood(one a-b exterior,the other DF marine) both checked and cracked after a year or so, and wouldn't have if I had used glass cloth.

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Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream

Great input. I think I will be going all the way. Not having done it before makes me hesitant. When I did the inside I used poly resin, I have included a pic of my first results. I'm using Poxy Shield for the rest of the boat. Already purchased.

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Gary

First ever attempt at fiberglassing. It came ou pretty good.

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Gary

Looks good from here!

_________________
Boat building can best be defined as an endless series of
tragedies obscured by the occasional miracle, followed by a good bottle of beer.

Don't Dream Your Life, Live Your Dream