Yes, I have read both West System books and Don Casey's book very
carefully. That's why I discover the difference between their two
approaches. Otherwise, I might not even notice the difference.

I don't know which West System literature that you are referring to
because I cannot find the examples that you have mentioned in the West
System books that I have. The one that I read the most often is called
"Fiberglass Boat Repair & Maintenance" (around 86 pages) (June 2004
Edition). They use the "largest one first / smallest one last"
approach consistantly through out the whole literature. Examples:
- To stiffen the floor and stringers (p. 17 18, and 20)
- To repair hull from the outside (p. 25 and 27)
- To re-attach outer skin to the deck from above (p. 33)
- To re-attach outer skin to the transom from outside (p. 37)
- To lay up a new outer skin to the transom from outside (p. 38)

That's just the opposition to the approach that I see in Don Casey's
book.

I figure that either approach is probably fine.

Jay Chan

Ron Magen wrote:
Jay,
I would re-read BOTH the Gudgeon Brothers literature and Don Casey's book .
. . carefully.

There are subtle differences between repairing a hole from the OUTSIDE, or
from the INSIDE. It also depends on whether you are 'laying up' or
'repairing'. It sounds to me that you are looking at the the instructions on
pgs. 63 - 67, and the illustrations on pg. 65.

If you will note, the bottom sketch shows the ' . . .alternating layers of
MAT and CLOTH.}. This is an exaggerated detail of the bevel that is all
around the repair It is a type of 'scarf joint' to give you the strongest
connection between the 'skin' over the repaired / replaced core and the
remainder of the decking. If you are talking about STRUCTURAL strength -
that depends on the repair you did on the core. When 'mat' is mentioned, it
indicates that there is some substantial thickness involved. Also, the last
layer should be cloth. {followed by a couple of coats of Gelcoat or some
other topcoating}

Regards & Good Luck,
Ron Magen
Backyard Boatshop

wrote in message
ups.com...
I would like to know the right way to lay down layers of fiberglass
clothes over a tapered edge of a fiberglass skin of a deck. Should I
lay down the largest piece first or the smallest piece of fiberglass
cloth first?

The balsa of the cored deck was rotten, and I needed to cut out the
outer skin of the deck (the outer skin was destroyed during the
process), removed the rotten core with good one. When I finally put
good core back in place, I will need to use epoxy and layers of
fiberglass cloths to replace the outerskin of the deck. I am supposed
to grind the edge of the sounding fiberglass skin into a tapered edge,
and then attach the edge of the fiberglass cloths over the tapered edge
of the surrounding fiberglass skin.

The question is: Should I put the largest piece of fiberglass cloth
first and the smallest piece last like what West System has suggested?
Or should I put the smallest piece first and the largest piece last
like what Don Casey (author of "This Old Boat") has suggested?

I don't care which way "looks" best; all I care is which way can give
me the strongest deck.

Which way is the right way to me?

Thanks in advance for any info.

Jay Chan