: Hi Andy,

: Couple thoughts: One, it's MUCH easier to apply one layer of glass
: at a time, allowing the first to set up just past the tacky
: stage before you apply the second. Two, instead of poly tents,
: cheap (relatively) foil covered foam board will make it much
: easier to heat the "tent" than using poly and will
: likely be easier to seal too. It can be duct taped together and
: the foam board offers a degree of insulation that the poly tarp
: doesn't so it takes considerably less heat to get the heat up to
: a level that's workable and also is somewhat more fire resistant
: due to the metal foil covering.

: Bill H.

Having just today applied my single layer to the deck I absolutely agree - applying one layer of fiberglass is considerably easier than applying two. A first-timer should consider going against Nick's book in this particular.

Using foam board is an interesting idea - though presumably you'd need something like 70 lineal feet of the stuff stacked lengthwise to cover the length, width, and roof of an enclosed "paint booth". There'd be some expense and complexities (venting, lighting) in setting it up, but if I planned to build several boats in a particularly cold garage then this would be the way to go.

On a final note, I'm withholding judgement on the Thayercraft 3.2 oz fabric, but my initial impressions are favorable. The texture is very fine and fills in pretty thoroughly with a second skim coat of epoxy - the wetted down fabric is much less visible than the 6oz fabric I've seen. I'll have a final verdict on the stiffness once the boat is done, but the cured hull feels pretty solid. At $60 for a 50 yard roll, it seems like a heck of a bargain. Only downside so far is that it is pretty delicate when dry - easy to snag and get runs if you're not careful.