Recent content by PaddleTime

Thanks, just learning what chopper gun fiberglass is all about and I remember that old canoe having that type of finish (although it also looked all rotted out, which still has me a bit on edge about going with a material that could soak up water). I can imagine that method of application...

Thanks. Just FYI I am leaning towards buying but I have definitely thought of giving a build a go as well. Not sure which way I’ll go quite yet! I have considered the all Kevlar route. I see your point in avoiding the fibers, etc., however I can imagine that being a futile exercise on a...

Nick, I appreciate your insight. Thank you for quelling some of my concerns on Kevlar. It made sense to me to look for materials that were hydrophobic for a canoe, but if it’s not an issue it’s not an issue. As far as “itchy” stuff goes I had some experiences with a fiberglass canoe many...

Thanks Nick! I had been starting to lean towards some Innegra basalt or carbon options but a bit bummed to hear carbon and basalt are similar to fiberglass there. I think I’m only seeing Innegra combined with carbon or basalt. Perhaps Kevlar is better for this concern although not sure I like...

Thanks Glenn! That one is more about resins, more curious here about the effects if any that these composites might physically have on skin. Example splinters, itchiness etc. like you can get with fiberglass sometimes.

Hey guys I was curious if anyone that has experience with various composites can chime in on the potential for skin irritation either in raw material form or during maintenance (sanding) and just all around. What I am experienced with would be fiberglass and related splinters / irritation...

Thank you, great info. Any idea if epoxy on a skin coat would be more of a chalk in looks only or are we talking like you ran your finger over a chalkboard type chalk / powder with UV exposure? Curious to know what I’ll be dealing with, with age of the canoe.

At this point I think so. Leaning that way as while I don’t feel great about the composition of either epoxy or vinylester, from what I’ve gathered so far it seems like there are some safer options out there in epoxy (when cured), compared to vinylester. @Jim Dodd I wouldn’t be hand laying the...

Thanks everyone. Seems like both systems have their share of damage reports. Foam-less sounds really interesting…if the weight was alright…but I’m focusing on epoxy for now and I’m not seeing epoxy options out there with no foam at all.

Hey guys, Curious what you’d go with if you could choose either foam ribs across the floor or a full foam core floor on the same canoe? Kevlar hand layup either way if that’s a factor. Thanks!

Thanks guys. Right now I seem to be focusing in on skin coat epoxy canoes. Sounds like the epoxy could get powdery with age? Appearance wouldn’t be an issue, but wouldn’t be a fan of dealing with epoxy dust on trips…my understanding is you can become sensitized even to the dust? Wouldn’t feel...

Thanks @ppine - I had thought amine blush was released during cure (and I’ve been investigating blush-free epoxy as well) - are you saying the epoxy continues to blush as it ages?

Hey guys, Getting the search narrowed down on a new canoe purchase, one consideration is obviously longevity / maintenance / what type of condition the canoe will be in down the line. For older epoxy canoes I see a lot of references to the epoxy taking on a “chalky” characteristic with age...

@memaquay - sorry to hear that! No negative reaction to fully cured product, however?

Thank you for the welcome Glenn. @billconner my understanding is that builders can become “sensitized” to (I think only uncured) epoxy and develop up to severe reactions. I have not seen anything saying that this can happen after curing, but I’m not sure to be honest and would like to find...