Ski Barge

[E. E.]

Just starting my first project, a 1967 19'7" Kenner Ski Barge. My plans are to make a flats boat out of it. I've seen comments about epoxy and polyester resins. I'm probably going with poly since a local fiberglass repair shop recommended. Looking in stores, it looks as if polyester is cheaper which better agrees with my wallet but what is the difference?

 

[Winger Ed.]

Re: Ski Barge

polyester is cheaper which better agrees with my wallet but what is the difference?[/QB]

Like so many other things, "ya get what you pay for".<br /><br />The epoxy tends to be stronger, and resistant to fuel & chemicals. You can make a gas tank from the epoxy, but not the polyester for example. <br /><br />For what you're doing, the polyester should be fine unless you're doing transom work and plan to hang a gazillion horse outboard on it to go 90 miles an hour. <br /><br />If you don't have a background in working with fiberglass resins, I'd read up on all the threads up & down here. And maybe get over to 'Scream & Fly'. There are several forums there including a fiberglass boat repair one with folks working on every sort of boat from 'fish & ski' to the serious racing boats. The better cross section you get of working with this stuff the better.<br /><br />Ed.

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Ski Barge

Good words, Winger.<br /><br />Doing this work right is more important than choosing expensive material.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Ski Barge

Poly is fine, just as long as you prep everything properly. The boat was originally made of poly, so there is no reason you couldn't use poly. Epoxy is a superior product and is easier to use, but comes with a higher price tag.

 

[E. E.]

Re: Ski Barge

Finally able to get some pics of my boat. Please let me know if you can see them. I'll be replacing out the old console with an updated one since the old one takes up so much space.<br /><br /> http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/skibarge1967

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Ski Barge

That is definately an interesting looking boat. It will be pretty cool with a modern center console. The boat looks huge. What kind of power will be pushing it?

 

[E. E.]

Re: Ski Barge

It was supposedly originally from Cypress Gardens used to ski and later was set up to film the ski shows. It is 19'7" x 93". I want to have at least a 120hp to have some hole shot in the shallows of Tampa Bay. This is an example of what it should look like when I get through except fom mine will have ample decking with storage.<br /><br />

 

[E. E.]

Re: Ski Barge

I have a couple of questions about my project. Can I compress the new wood to the transom skin by screwing through some blocks of wood, through the numerous existing holes in the transom skin and into the new wood? I think this would provide a good compression between the skin and new wood. I will then remove the blocks, put a new skin on the outside due to all the holes and put a skin on the inside which would cover any screw holes in the new wood.<br /><br />Also, the stringers were originally one by boards. Is this acceptable to replace the stringers now with pressure treated one bys?<br /><br />This boat is not getting done near fast enough for me. Patience is not one of my strong points.<br /><br />Thanks for yor help<br /><br />

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Ski Barge

Yes, use any available existing holes to run bolts through. I used bolts with nuts and large washers and tightened the snot out of them. I also clamped around any edges available, and braced the lower corners with 2x4s wedged. If you go pressure treated, it needs to be fully dried. Fresh pressure treated may cause bonding issues. I personally do not see the value in using pressure treated in a boat, but mine is just one of many opinions. I feel that sealing standard or marine grade wood gives sufficient results. Pressure treated wood doesn't last forever, it just lasts longer, and the potential bonding issues are not worth the risk to me. I would rather saturate standard wood with thinned epoxy and know there will be a solid bond than roll the dice. Good luck....