Hi,

I built my AT17 last year. This step goes pretty easy, don't sweat it. You won't need to cut the bow, it will drape OK as Pygmy says. But, one word of caution, don't let the stern drape when you pre-trim the width of the cloth without holding it up in its "peak" or you will trim it too narrow and it won't reach the shear when you make these folds and nips (duh). I didn't foresee this and miscut the cloth, but luckily I discovered my goofup before wetting out the cloth.

If you need to sand, just wipe it down. Don't use solvents, which may have impurities. This is not significantly weaker than a chemical bond within 72 hours. But the sooner you glass the better, even >72 hrs.

For those times you are within the 72 hour window, I used one of those 4-inch razor scrapers to smooth off any nubs of grain to let the cloth flow freely as it drapes. I also used a nice 4-inch virgin brush to smooth and drape the dry cloth.

: I put the saturation coat of epoxy on my Tern Thursday night and it is still
: too tacky to move the fiberglass around freely enough to make really
: smooth along the length of the hull The instructions say to make a few
: cuts at the stern so the cloth will go smooth, my question is: It seems to
: me that the cloth would need to be cut, at least along the keel line, for
: the bow as well. I think I remember doing this for the my Osprey Double.
: Any Tern builders out there that can give me some bits of advice?

: One last thing, since I am ultimately going to go over the 72 window after
: applying the saturation coat,(I think has something to do with blush) what
: is best to wipe the hull down with before giving it a light sanding?
: water? acetone?

: After a wipe down would a good scrubbing with a green 3M pad be enough of a
: sand or should I use some fine sandpaper for the job?

: Will the bond between cloth and hull be weakened because I have to sand
: before putting the cloth on as opposed to wetting out the cloth without
: having to sand?

: Thanks for any input,

: Tom

: P.S. Went paddling yesterday for the first time in weeks, windy but and
: excellent day to be out!