: Hello, folks. I need to get some glassing supplies on order. Having never
: done any glassing before, I have three questions.

: SOURCE: I'm reading some attractive things about Raka - quality with a low
: price - so I figured I'd go with the flow and use that. I figure that some
: of you have recently done some research to find the vendor with the best
: pricing. So, rather than replicating that effort, I figured I'd just ask
: what the results were? Anybody do a recent search and can recommend them
: to me?

What Shawn Said

: SCHEDULE: Again, having never worked with glass before, I just want to double
: check my intentions. I think I'll use 4 oz regular E-Glass on the deck and
: 6 oz on the hull, with some extra pieces in key spots, like the keel line,
: stern, bow, the deck just behind the cockpit, under the feet, etc. (stuff
: per Nick's book). I think this lay-up will be sufficient for my type of
: paddling. I'm in relatively shallow water, so frequently scrape submerged
: "things" like crab pots, stakes, and so forth, plus rocks,
: barnacles and the like. But, I don't have the skills adequate for being in
: a heavy pounding surf and so forth, so the deck won't take much abuse.
: I'll have some waves breaking in my lap, but not the heavy pounding stuff.
: Plus, no rock gardens and so forth in my area. I'm not just a "fair
: weather" paddler, but not experienced enough to get into some really
: rough conditions either (yet). But, I want a strong lay-up (just in
: case)without adding too much additional weight. So, does my lay-up sound
: about right?

On My OI I used 5 OZ on the whole boat I added a small football and a third layer 2" wide at the bow and stern. I made the second and third layer on the hull as small as possible based on wear in previous boats. Mine weighes in the mid 40's. If I were to make another I would use 4 oz on the whole boat and use the same lay up.

: QUANTITIES: From Jay's manual, I found references to getting 2 gallons of
: epoxy and hardner, and some 2" glass tape. With a boat length of just
: under 18', I figure I'd need 72' of tape, plus some "boo-boo"
: wiggle room.

2 Gallons is about right. Most first timers tend to use more epoxy. One big thing to help reduce weight is to make small end pours. Another thing I have found is to get a real smooth boat you need to really fill the weave with epoxy to spare and then fair it all in. If you don't really go heavy up front you will get into the glass and it will show. That all come with practice on how much to use. Only buy tape for the inside. Cut your own on the outside from the 4 oz.

: But on the glass cloth, I didn't find a reference (did I just miss it?), but
: think that it will take about 23 yards - 11 yards of the 4 oz and 12 yards
: of the 6 oz - based on some stuff I read in Nick's book. Is that right?
: Can any OI builders comment on how much they used?

: Thanks for all the help!!!

: By the way, my neice did come over with her digital camera this weekend, and
: took a picture of the hull . Now, I just need to figure out how to get it
: on the bulletin board, and I'll have a little "show and tell" of
: my own :-)

: Rick