Fiberglass bottom N water line
Moderator: ttownshaw
Fiberglass bottom N water line
Hi.anyone here just glass the bottom and the sides alittle above water line? and just varnish the sides for bright look? Le Tonkinois is a varnish containing linseed oil and tung oil,i read about it on the wooden boat forum and they say very good things about it. uv resistant,it breaths, no sanding! if you get a scratch you just add more to it and it wont crack over time .look at it its very interesting .
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
I didn't fiberglass because I wanted to waterproof... I fiberglassed to help deal with the hundreds of bumps and nicks you get from docks & trailering. Fiberglass provides a layer of armor for protecting the wood underneath.
I can tell you, after using my a few dozen times now, I am VERY glad I fiberglassed my sides, deck, etc. I have a lot of scratches already, but so far nothing has penetrated past the fiberglass layer.
I do like the idea of re-touching as often as you like. I am going to have to figure out how to clean up my scratches sooner or later.
I can tell you, after using my a few dozen times now, I am VERY glad I fiberglassed my sides, deck, etc. I have a lot of scratches already, but so far nothing has penetrated past the fiberglass layer.
I do like the idea of re-touching as often as you like. I am going to have to figure out how to clean up my scratches sooner or later.
Ian (aka Iggy)
My Malahini Build
My Malahini Build
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
Im very surprised no one commented on this varnish.On the Woodboat forum its members use it a lot.Ive tested it and you wipe it on like you would and oil because that's what it is>thin coats and NO streaks and no sanding.i put 6 coats on a piece of my boat lumber and let sit 2 years of sun ,rain, ice and snow and it still looks great.
.dosnt scratch easy either >TOUGH.EASY.GOOD LOOKING. 


- thudpucker
- Posts: 1291
- Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2008 3:31 pm
- Location: Cullman AL
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
I like that Rich color. looks like it could stand anything.
I like the shape of that rounded stern too.
I like the shape of that rounded stern too.
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
Its very a very good product


Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
Im still considering not glassing my upper outsides.......bottom and waterline are glassed.
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- Posts: 1382
- Joined: Tue May 05, 2009 12:18 pm
- Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
For what it's worth I only glassed my bottom, up a bit past water line, no glass on sidea. Less weight, less work. I've used Pettit Z spar varnish on my boat, light sand between coats, but happy with the product - definitely not finicky re application, hopefully a good compromise between flexibility and hardness, and easy to add extra coats at any timr.
My carpentry experience with tung oil has been unimpressive.
My carpentry experience with tung oil has been unimpressive.
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
This varnish wont blacken and its a combo of tung oil too........... also good UV protection
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
Also I have 3 rub rails that run full length...... bottom ,1 right on the water line and one on top.that will protect the hull when trailering or along the dock..pier
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
the inside is varnished with this and below floorboards is epoxied.Im thicking about using this on the outside over the epoxy coating.
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
i was interested in what you were using.
this is from their site FAQ:
this is from their site FAQ:
(insert Witty phrase here)
Billy's Belle Isle website
Billy's Belle Isle website
Re: Fiberglass bottom N water line
I have seen there site but they don't mention there varnish being able to protect epoxy from U.V. > the varnish itself holds up well in the sun . im not going to chance it and im going to use system 3 spar varnish over my epoxy covered areas.