Fiberglass cloth or mat? floor & stringers

[ShawnR]

1990 Four Winns Horizon 200 with rotted floor.

I have already pulled out the wet foam and stingers appear to be fine. Haven't gotten to the transom yet.

The stringers have small holes in the where the floor was stapled down and there are some small cuts when I was cutting out the flooring. I am planning on recovering the stringers with a light layer of glass to seal them up before foaming & floor.

Would it be better to use cloth or mat and why?

What about after I put on the decking? Cloth or mat to seal it all up?

I am planning on using epoxy resin with the glass.

Thanks.​

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Fiberglass cloth or mat? floor & stringers

If you're using epoxy, you don't need any glass at all. Epoxy will work on its own to seal the wood.

If you're committed to using it, either glass or mat will work, since in this application you're just using it for puncture or abrasion protection, not structural strength.

Erik

 

[Downwindtracker2]

Re: Fiberglass cloth or mat? floor & stringers

I would go with cloth,it will use less epoxy to wet out.Cloth is used to maintain the integrity of the epoxy seal.

 

[ShawnR]

Re: Fiberglass cloth or mat? floor & stringers

Cool. I just wanted to add a protective "skin" over the stingers to seal up the little holes from the staples.

What about covering the deck? Cloth, mat, or a layer of mat, then covered up with cloth to have a smoother finish?

In case it isn't clear, I have never done this before.

Deck is going to be PT plywood that has been completely covered in epoxy bfore going down. Unless I switch back to fir again.

Boating used to be fun ​