very tempting...Lark2004,<br />Relax dude. I didn't consider my post strong...but yes it disagrees with you. You stick to your opinion and I won't be upset that it disagrees with mine. <br /><br />Here's the strong part...Yes, I worked in the glass trade making plugs/molds and glassed (operated chopper guns and did hand lay) big boats, rc model boats, surfboards, various glass auto products, repro glass antiques, fire retardant glass combat gear and chemical tanks. I also had a short stint working in the R&D dept for Aquasport boats making plugs and molds. Also included are many home project rebuilds on transoms and floors or rebuilds(west method)on two wood sailboats (32'& 42')I'd guess the amount of resin I've actually used in the last 40+ yrs is in the 1000s of gallons...including poly, epoxy and casting. I currently own a 10' LAPSTRAKE glass sailing dink and 6 other motor, sail and paddling craft. <br /><br />With ALL that said I am qualified in my own mind to say glassing lapstrake is tedious (even for pros)and not recommended for a lapstrake trailer boats. I'm guessing the lapstrake boats you glassed were flipped over and done bottom up too. I'm also guessing those boats don't get a lot of use and don't get banged on and off trailers or rocky bottoms. And you used 6-10 oz flat weave cloth. New construction with laps beveled specifically for glassing?<br /><br />Lapstrake boats flex more than others and keeping glass down for years can be a problem if using poly resin. Epoxy is best but the glass cloth isn't necessary in Jeff's situation. Regardless, you have to use a thin cloth and it would give only ding resistance to the surface...not structural. Even if you get the glass done right it will leave hard edges that get dinged and eventually let water in...especially on the boat bottom. In short it isn't practical and the original post was asking about leaks (which are at the seams). Sure you can fiberglass it but a good thick bead of thickened epoxy will do it with less hassle. A coating of epoxy on the bottom will give major ding protection without glass too.<br /><br />As already mentioned in one thread, Gluvit is another option...and I applied Glovit on a 32' International 500 sloop (strip plank) boat in 1970...very good stuff and it is more flexible than most other epoxy coatings. I'm not sure it glues as well as modern epoxy resins due to the elastic properties.<br /><br />OK, that's is my story and I'm sticking to it. Peace on earth and good fiberglassing to you sir. Keep the faith baby. Are we still friends?
