Re: 1973 wellcraft 165 sport airslot project w/ pics
Dude, I completely understand. I'm sure you can get it in there and make it look good and provide trouble free service, heaven forbid you should ever need it.
May I ask why you initially decided to use epoxy? I am agonizing over which to use when I eventually start on mine. As far as the wet out goes, can you thin epoxy resin with iso. alcohol (as you can with epoxy adhesive, like we do in model aircraft construction) to get a little more liquid consistency and perhaps make it go farther?
Will the width of the stringers make it difficult to hit them dead center with screws, should you decide to use them for the decking?
Hate to bombard you with the questions, but my rebuild is looming and your build thread is inspirational to all of us guys with empty wallets and bad backs......
well, I initially went with epoxy because being a complete novice I thought that I better cover my butt incase I sucked at glassing. That and I tend to be of the type that buys expensive material because I save so much by never hiring anything out. I also didnt like the thought of having a toxic mess everywhere which is what poly gives the impression of. Now, after becoming allergic to epoxy I realize that they both are a toxic mess! I still feel like I wouldnt have done my resto had I thought I would be in a tyvek monkey suit and respirator for every little thing. Afterall I am doing this through the summer in Ohio and I have no use for losing 50 pounds. Now, I would not hesitate to suggest you go with poly as long as you can protect yourself from it without passing out due to heat exhaustion. Bottom line is that in our little toy boat world epoxy is just far too expensive for the benefits that it provides. I dont think that we as pleasure boaters are ever going to see the benefits in a meaningful way. Poly will get the job done and quite well.
I dont think thinning resin is the best idea. I used acetone and it seemed to work great but reading a few posts by the knowitall's (I mean that in a good way) if you think about it, acetone breaks down epoxy, it doesnt thin it...I dont know about the iso though, you would need to look further into it. Just call uscomposites and ask. If you intend to stretch your quantities by taking those types of shortcuts, I say go poly for sure and just pay less for more. The thickness of straight resin is plenty thin already.
Also, I intend to do the same thing I did for making my deck template for marking where the stringers are so that I have an accurate line to screw into.
Red, I think I may go the route of just using the screws to suck it down then filling the holes. Just like on my transom lamination, I didnt think of that
doh!
And dont be shy about asking questions, I had and still have a ton myself and am always willing to help.
except for your back and wallet, I am not a pharmacy nor a bank.
