Anyone here do fiberglass?

[Jiggerachi]

I am toying with a an idea I have for another crazy a project for the fall/winter. Everyone saw that pink boat I built earlier this summer right?


Well I am trying to see how much it would cost to bust it back down to just the pontoons and the frame and wrapping the whole thing with fiberglass, completely waterproofing it (since the wood we used was plywood) and making it more structurally solid. Im thinking of then rigging a pan out of large aluminum sheets to replace the 50lbs of plywood I have as a seating platform for weight savings. I would then rig up small wooden planks for seats and more structual ridgidity, maybe get two of those cheap bass boat swivel seats to bolt down. Basically I want to make it a two man fishing row boat, with two compartments for gear in the middle. It would be able to be converted to fit all 4 guys for just rowing around of we wanted to. This boat we built has proven very well handling and solid, perfect for what I want it for, I just want to make it lighter, more capable, and most of all more reliable. Maybe later i'll install a decent electric trolling motor and have some fun with it.

That way when the spring rolls around next year I might find a cheap trailer or something and actually have a nice row boat to take out fishing.

By the time I get to doing this, the boat will have probably 3 coats of latex outdoor paint, so it won't be just bare styrofoam. Any idea how much the fiberglass job would run? I would do it myself at home, just need to know where to get the supplys, what I would need to buy, and how much it would cost. The dimensions are 13ft long and I think about 5 feet wide. I would only be wrapping the pontoons and the 4 frame beams that run between them with fiberglass.

Here is a crappy sketch I did a few weeks ago while bored at work, and a pic of the build showing the items I want wrapped in fiberglass.




I know im probably an idiot with this rediculous project, but I was really impressed with how the boat handled out on the water and it would be better to fix this one up right instead of spending north of a grand for a plastic version of the same thing.

Right now I just want to get ithe pontoons fiberglassed, the aluminum pan idea might prove to be a disaster, in which case i'll just put the plywood back on or figure something else out, it's just an idea right now.

Thanks in advance.

**Edit, I meant tin sheets, not aluminum. I can treat the sheets so they wouldn't rust right?

[sammm]

How much weight would glass and resin add to the boat? Something to consider.

[Jiggerachi]

Im sure alot, but the more strength and durability the better. As it is now I could spread little styrofoam balls all over the lake just scooting over a stick while launching or alnding the thing. Latex paint doesn't really work too well for surface strength, and I don't think it's very waterproof either for the wood. I could just use resin without fiberglass, but might as well make it as strong as possible while im at it. If I could successfully rig up the aluminum pan I would be at least removing 50 to 80 lbs right there, that plywood weighs alot.

*edit, not to mention the 300 - 400 lbs saved by making it a 2 man instead of a 4 man boat. (transporting will still be a biyatch)

[Ataim]

Fiberglass is really easy to use. Just make sure that the resin does not melt the foam I prefer to use the weaved matt instead of the other non-weaved. the matt lays better on smooth surfaced, than other, but the nonmatt can be molded into smaller areas. Just make sure that you have the matt cut to size before you start working with it. You normally only have about 5-15 minutes of working time.

Also don't get the resin on anything that you care about, ie clothes, bench, floor, other parts.

[Jiggerachi]

That's good! I read somewhere that the epoxy resin will not eat the styrofoam, but the automotive fiberglass has solvents in the resin that will eat styrofoam very quickly. I would rather use the woven fiber as well, seems like it would be stronger than the non woven, and easier to use.

Where can I get the epoxy resin and woven fiber? Do they sell that stuff at home depot? Any idea on the cost of a semi big job like this?

[Ataim]

Any idea on the cost of a semi big job like this?

YOur gonna need quite a bit of material. I'd yahoo "fiberglass" and see if you can find a company that is willing to sell you some.

LIke:

Winchester's Fiberglass Boat Repair
Address: 2260 S Burleson Blvd, Burleson, TX 76028
Phone: (817) 692-0504

[motorollow]

A few years ago I was thinking about building a plywood canoe. I changed my mind when I found out the fiberglas, epoxy, etc. was going to cost $200.

[Jiggerachi]

Ouch! I'll run by home depot this week sometime and check it out. If that's the case then several coats of latex paint will have to do at least till next spring.