sealing plywood

[susan61]

Nearing compleation of rowboat built from BC plywood. Seams are sealed with epoxy resin and fiberglass tape. When applying resin to seal the remaining hull underwater is fiberglass cloth necessary, or will resin alone be enough.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: sealing plywood

I would use the cloth. The cloth acts as reinforcement, like re-bar in concrete. It will add a tiny bit if weight, but it will add a ton of strength. Any small boat I have seen built from scratch has been fully sheathed in woven cloth. Good luck...

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: sealing plywood

You get great abrasion resistance as well with the glass which is good when you drag it up on shore.<br />If you used douglas fir for plywood, it will make finishing it easier. Plus you won't be worrying about the plywood checking.

 

[Captain LMC]

Re: sealing plywood

Resin itself is acctually brittle. It gets its strenght when it combined with glass fibers.