Recent content by Rex Stardust

I'm just taking notes cause I've already got enough epoxy, fiberglass and cedar for the next one. I'm trying to keep this one light, so I'll likely do a little sanding and call it good enough. Plus, we've been having unnaturally warm weather here and if I can get some gunnels on soon, maybe I...

So, not entirely successful. I ended up with some wrinkles in the bottom of both stems. I found the next piece really stuck in place and was difficult to move and smooth out. The other issue was getting it squeeged out completely. I was hoping for an even weave showing but I've got some smooth...

That's great information. I'll start with the stems on Friday and the rest Saturday morning.

Do you lay them all out first or one layer at a time - adding the second one after the first is flat and wet out?

Does anyone ever use multiple perperndicular lengths of cloth on the inside - with some overlap at the seams, rather than one long piece from bow to stern? My 4oz. cloth is 50" wide and the canoe is about 53" gunnel to gunnel. So either I use one long piece and patch the top several inches...

I had a close look at it and I agree that I don't think I'm into the cloth. I still have a do a final light sanding before varnish but I'll be carefull around these spots. If it's still visible after varnish it certainly won't be the only visible mistake I've made. This was my practice boat...

Ok. I'm sold. Taking it off the forms tomorrow.

After a summer of building raised beds, desks and floating shelves, I'm finally getting back to my canoe. I just finished sandng the outer hull and I can see the cloth in a number of places. Most are at the edge of a double layer (football/stem) which I'm less concerned about, but there are...

Sounds like more patience is in order. I felt rushed trying to get the hull wet out and squeegeed before the epoxy started to set up but I think I've got more time to work with than I thought. I did buy enough cloth and epoxy to a 17' tandem once this one is finished so I'll be adding this to...

I applied with a squeegee and thought I was moving it around a lot before removing excess but I guess I needed to work a little slower and give it more time to soak in. I was running the garage warmer than normal but maybe bumping that up a bit would have helped as well. I don't see any large...

I think I spoke a little early when I said it went well. I'm downgrading that to "OK". I got all the layers on and wet out but while doing fill coats I could already see some streaks and color variation in the wood. The streaks are where the epoxy dripped down the side before I could start...

I got the wet-out done with the football section and I guess I'm adding the stem strips with the fill coat. It was hectic enough without having to deal with those extra strips so I'm glad I left them out. Seems like everything went oK and the knuckle/tumblehome was no big deal at all, apart...

Thanks for the advice. At what point should I add bias cut strips to the stems? After the initial wet-out or later, after fill coats are applied?

I'm through sanding now and planning to glass this weekend. For a first-timer, how important is it to have an extra set of hands around? I'm going do some final research tonight (ie. watch some Youtube videos) and write out a list of steps so I'm prepared but maybe I should have someone around...

Thanks for the compliments on the hull. It's just 5/4 decking from Home Depot and I had fully intended to speed build this so I could use it on a trip later in June, but I got carried away with book matching and grain matching at the joints. It's taken a lot longer than I planned but I do like...