: It doesn’t matter how long you wait, as long as you RECOGNIZE the fact that
: you
: cannot expect the deck and hull to retain the correct dimensions, over long
: periods
: of time, if left with one surface of bare wood to expand and contract with
: the
: varying moisture content of the air in your shop.

: You are least likely to have problems if you can glass the inside surfaces
: within a week. However, even this time frame offers no guarantees.

: I suggest that as soon as you remove your deck from the stations, BEFORE
: you take the stations out of the hull, that you mark and make a chart of the
: hull widths 2', 4', 6', 8' etc. from the bow. WHEN it is time to glass the
: interior
: surfaces of the hull and deck you can adjust the moisture content of the wood
: if
: needed and use tape to pull in, or sticks to spread the deck/hull to the
: correct
: widths AFTER you apply the glass and wet it out.

: Once that second layer of glass has hardened on the inside of the deck/hull
: you can still adjust width variations of up to an inch in the alignment of
: the
: deck and hull with the power of stretched clear 2’ wide packing tape.

If you know you're going to have to wait while (weeks) to glass the inside
surfaces of your deck and hull, I'd suggest wrapping and sealing the whole
thing in plastic to keep the moisture equalized.

The way to know if you'll have problems or not, is to keep and monitor
a humidity gage in your shop. Write down the humidity level when you
stripped the boat and keep track of how much it changes. You can try to
keep the humidity level of your shop equilized by having a steam kettle
on the stove or a humidifier going or by closing up your shop and turning
up the heat, to dry things out, which is the usual problem with shops in
in the winter.

I use a combination temperature/humidity gage that cost under $20.

If you wrap up your boat in plastic, it would be good to have one of these
gages inside the cockpit opening to see if you can maintain an even humidity
level. If not, you could cut a flap open and add heat or a pot of water to adjust
the humidity level to where it needs to be and tape the flap closed again.

All the best,

Rob Macks
Laughing Loon CC&K
www.LaughingLoon.com