Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Re: Other: Fiberglass seats -- the how to question
By:Jay Babina
Date: 3/5/2003, 8:53 am

I made a mold that I've used for 6 boats so far and am now doing again.

In a pile of sand, sculpt a seat. I made a tractor type with an upward slant. Carve it to fit your botton like a glove (keep it symetrical) Line it with thin plastic bag material and fill the indentation with plaster of paris. Fine tune the mold with wallboard compound and sanding etc. - then coat it with epoxy. I mounted mine on a small 6" stand which makes it easier to lay up cloth. It's easy.

I don't use release agents since I had my layups stick on a few occassions and took a chunk of mold out so now I lay pieces of seran wrap over it for releasing. I first coat the mold with auto wax which makes the seran wrap stick well.

It takes about 6 layers of 6oz cloth to get the desired stiffness. Pull the glass off as soon as it toughens up. Dont abondon it for days or you may need a jack hammer. Later I sand and coat/fill any imperfections on the seat side. I also add graphite powder or copier toner to the epoxy to make it black.

Messages In This Thread

Other: Fiberglass seats -- the how to questions?
Don Flowers -- 3/4/2003, 6:13 pm
Re: Other: Fiberglass seats -- the how to question
Jay Babina -- 3/5/2003, 8:53 am
Re: Other: Fiberglass seats -- the how to question
David Hanson -- 3/5/2003, 6:29 pm
Re: Other: Fiberglass seats -- An alternative
Steve Phillips -- 3/5/2003, 1:00 am
Re: Other:glass seats -- 2 part foam?
Doug -- 3/5/2003, 4:33 pm
Re: Other:glass seats -- Urethane foam, I believe.
Steve Phillips -- 3/6/2003, 3:11 am
Re: Other: Fiberglass seats -- the how to question
Shawn Baker -- 3/4/2003, 6:30 pm
Gracias -- I'll build my own mold later, thanks. *NM*
Don Flowers -- 3/4/2003, 11:35 pm