Mantra The epoxy encapsulation must be done right, and then maintained
that way/Mantra. I would wonder if those canoes that had problems (please
describe them for us) were probably beached enough to cause miniscule leaks
in the canoes. Due to the rough rocks around here, mostly lava sponge, I
don't think I'll ever get to build a stripper than I can utilize much ...the
best lakes we have are in lava country (high Cascades, in Oregon).

As far as the one-side epoxy experience goes, it makes me wonder if some
woods do conduct moisture away from the epoxy/wood interface while other
woods do not, e.g. some woods are less rot resistant when only partially
coated with epoxy. Someone should do a study. It's very interesting
though. The encapsulated canoes were probably trapping water in the wood
while the one-side ones were allowing it to be conducted out? Have you any
comments or guesses on this?

Brian

--
My boat project: http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass


"Bray Haven" wrote in message
...
I looked at a couple mahog. runabouts last year that had been
"fiberglassed" at
the factory in the 50's and were still in great shape. I epoxy glass my
cedar
strip hulls on the outside only. I have had problems with so called
"encapsualtion" but none at all with the outside application.
Greg Sefton

Like Rufus said. Glass sheathing is just a way to extend the life of an
otherwise unsalvageable wood hull. It is probably the fastest way to
destroy a decent hull short of actually demolishing it.

WCD wrote:
I'm considering buying a 19' 50's era custom-built wood runabout. I'm
also considering putting fiberglass onto the hull to get it into the
water sooner and to keep the maintenance down.

Any suggestions? The boat has been out of the water for a few years, so
the wood is pretty dry. The hull is in pretty good shape, so I'm not
covering up a pack of problems. I'm thinking of doing the work myself;
it looks like something I could handle and I have the space in my shop.

Thanks for any advice.



--
Glenn Ashmore

I'm building a 45' cutter in strip/composite. Watch my progress (or lack
there of) at: http://www.rutuonline.com
Shameless Commercial Division: http://www.spade-anchor-us.com

Another thought is that you did not say how the boat was planked.
"custom-built wood runabout" could mean a variety of things.
Is the boat of lapstrake construction? If it is and the wood is is good
shape, why fiberglass? Covering the lap ridges with glass would be
difficult.

I have seen some old mahogany runabouts that had a double layer of thin
planking with canvas in between.
The canvas rots and the boat leaks. Probably better to fiberglass
over the outer hull in this case.

Some are batten seam construction. The planks do not shrink apart very
much with this type and if in good shape....why fiberglass?

If you have a regular carvel planked hull, with caulked seams, then
you will periodically need to recaulk but you won't have to do this
every year. A coat of maintenance varnish every year and some bottom
paint touch up might go a long way.
I think some people who have boats like this tend to trailer them
and not use them very much and then wonder why they leak when they put
them in the water. This type of boat benefits from being kept in the
water and not being allowed to really dry out when hauled in the winter.

One final thought. Once you commit to fiberglassing the boat, whether
you use epoxy or polyester, you make it much more difficult to replace
a plank that becomes damaged or rotten. The nice thing about a carvel
planked boat is you can take it apart (in theory) and replace damaged
pieces and keep the boat going a long long time.

If your primary concern is ease of maintenance, buy a plastic boat.
But then that wouldn't be any fun at all, would it?


WCD wrote:
I'm considering buying a 19' 50's era custom-built wood runabout. I'm
also considering putting fiberglass onto the hull to get it into the
water sooner and to keep the maintenance down.

Any suggestions? The boat has been out of the water for a few years, so
the wood is pretty dry. The hull is in pretty good shape, so I'm not
covering up a pack of problems. I'm thinking of doing the work myself;
it looks like something I could handle and I have the space in my shop.

Thanks for any advice.

Steve,

What's "batten seam" construction?

Thanks,
Brian

--
My boat project: http://www.advantagecomposites.com/tongass

"steveJ" wrote in message
...
Another thought is that you did not say how the boat was planked.
"custom-built wood runabout" could mean a variety of things.
Is the boat of lapstrake construction? If it is and the wood is is good
shape, why fiberglass? Covering the lap ridges with glass would be
difficult.

I have seen some old mahogany runabouts that had a double layer of thin
planking with canvas in between.
The canvas rots and the boat leaks. Probably better to fiberglass
over the outer hull in this case.

Some are batten seam construction. The planks do not shrink apart very
much with this type and if in good shape....why fiberglass?

If you have a regular carvel planked hull, with caulked seams, then
you will periodically need to recaulk but you won't have to do this
every year. A coat of maintenance varnish every year and some bottom
paint touch up might go a long way.
I think some people who have boats like this tend to trailer them
and not use them very much and then wonder why they leak when they put
them in the water. This type of boat benefits from being kept in the
water and not being allowed to really dry out when hauled in the winter.

One final thought. Once you commit to fiberglassing the boat, whether
you use epoxy or polyester, you make it much more difficult to replace
a plank that becomes damaged or rotten. The nice thing about a carvel
planked boat is you can take it apart (in theory) and replace damaged
pieces and keep the boat going a long long time.

If your primary concern is ease of maintenance, buy a plastic boat.
But then that wouldn't be any fun at all, would it?


WCD wrote:
I'm considering buying a 19' 50's era custom-built wood runabout. I'm
also considering putting fiberglass onto the hull to get it into the
water sooner and to keep the maintenance down.

Any suggestions? The boat has been out of the water for a few years, so
the wood is pretty dry. The hull is in pretty good shape, so I'm not
covering up a pack of problems. I'm thinking of doing the work myself;
it looks like something I could handle and I have the space in my shop.

Thanks for any advice.

In article InWJb.745409$Fm2.673024@attbi_s04, Brian D
wrote:

Steve,

What's "batten seam" construction?

I'm not Steve but batten construction uses a narrow piece of wood on
the inside to cover the seam between planks. The plank is fastened to
the batten.

Jeff

Gotcha.

Brian

"Le Grande Raoul" wrote in message
...
In article InWJb.745409$Fm2.673024@attbi_s04, Brian D
wrote:

Steve,

What's "batten seam" construction?

I'm not Steve but batten construction uses a narrow piece of wood on
the inside to cover the seam between planks. The plank is fastened to
the batten.

Jeff

Yup...that's it.

Le Grande Raoul wrote:
In article InWJb.745409$Fm2.673024@attbi_s04, Brian D
wrote:


Steve,

What's "batten seam" construction?


I'm not Steve but batten construction uses a narrow piece of wood on
the inside to cover the seam between planks. The plank is fastened to
the batten.

Jeff