: Good morning gents. I hope all is well.

: thanks for all the help thus far, the merganser is moving along
: nicley.

: a few more questions

: 1) mounting the skeg: it sure would be easier without the deck !!!,
: SO is it feasable to cut hole, glue in/ secure skeg before the
: outside of hull is glassed ??(id have the inside all glassed)

: id plug the whole with plastic/ duct tape to seal the inside of
: skeg box when I glass outer hull, then make it pretty after.

: 2) Glassing the hull exterior: CLC/Eric Shade advise 3 layers of
: glass on hull first covers the entire hull, next is a bit
: smaller and the final just a diamond strip on the keel.

: it was not clear in the manuals if all three layers are wetted out
: and done the same time or one at a time after the subsequant
: layer cures??,

: also would I be ahead of the game if I USE 9 - 12 OZ fabric one
: layer and a single strip on keel?? ( I can get glass fabric
: localy)

: thats it for now

: many thanks

: "John"

The reinforced areas are the only places that need the extra layers of glass, adding it with heavier fabric is possible but then you'd have either too thick of glass where it's not needed adding weight and/or a weak spot between where the heavy fabric ends and the lighter fabric begins. Also heavy glass won't wet out clear, you'll always be able to see the weave in the finished piece.

The layers can be done either all at once or one layer at a time, epoxy takes quite some time to fully set up so you get a reasonable chemical bond between what looks like hardened resin. It's probably better/easier if you're new to using fiberglass to do the layers one at a time.

Bill H.