: I just wanted to post up and mention that I'm about to start up
: work again on the kayak. It's been hanging out in the garage for
: the past few months with the fiberglass removed from the
: discolored areas and the places where it was no longer bonded to
: the wood. I checked for rot using the method described by Bill,
: and it appears that the resistance to the knife is about the
: same everywhere I checked. I'm thinking I dodged a bullet there
: since I'm really not setup for replacing strips.

: While I was at work I managed to sneak off to the bookstore while
: in port and picked up a copy of KayakCraft, by Ted Moores. I did
: not realize at the time that he's the man behind Bear Mountain
: Boats. Between this book and Shade's "Building
: Strip-Planked Boats" I think I'm able to sort out quite a
: bit as to how this boat was built. I just want to double check
: on the method typically used for securing the deck to the hull.
: From what I can tell in KayakCraft, the deck and hull are NOT
: fiberglassed together, i.e. they are fiberglassed separately and
: then connected using screws and epoxy with no fiberglass
: covering the seam. Am I understanding this correctly?

: For the areas that are still discolored, I'm going to give the
: Oxalic acid a shot. From what I've been able to gather from the
: owner it's not likely that any dyed wood was used to make the
: boat.

: I do have a couple of questions regarding the fiberglass. The first
: up is, what weight? KayakCraft mentioned 4oz and 6oz cloth. I'm
: thinking about 4oz cloth for the work on the deck and 6oz cloth
: on the hull. I'd also like to add a reinforcing strip of
: fiberglass on the bow and stern where the boat will likely make
: first contact during beachings/groundings. Is this advisable or
: is there a better method for protecting these sections?

: I've been looking at West System epoxies and was planning on
: picking up a group size "A" batch of resin and
: hardener. From what I can gather, I'll need to use the #207
: hardener for the clearest epoxy finish. Will I need any kind of
: filler material for replacing the patches of fiberglass? I'm
: leaning towards no, but figured I'd ask while I have your guys'
: attention.

: Final question (finally!): I'm working in an unheated garage and
: the info I have on the epoxy hardener states a 60* minimum
: working temperature. It also recommends having lots of
: ventilation. Is the minimum working temperature the minimum temp
: at which it will cure, or will the epoxy be too thick to work
: with below that temp? I was thinking about applying the epoxy
: with the garage open and then closing the door and using a
: radiant heater pointed at the work to aid curing while I hide
: out in the house. Is this a bad idea? Is there a better way of
: doing this? I've considered waiting for the weather to warm up,
: but I'm in Bellingham WA and who knows when we'll be above 60*
: (heck, today we've had rain, snow, hail, more rain, and then
: sunshine).

: Thank you again for your help!

: Louis

Sheer clamps can certainly be used "if" the shape of the hull/deck allows it. Needs to be a fairly flat deck shape that meets the hull at a near right angle for it to work. The hull/deck joint though is always glassed on the outside seam.

You'll definately need, using West epoxy, their "B" kit, you'll need generally at least 1 1/2 gallons and that kit will supply that. For a first time person doing glass you'll use more than you'd use with more experience.

If you want the glass to be clear, the wood showing thru, warmer is better. Suggest reading Rob Mack's shop tips article on his Laughing Loon web site for tips.

Bill H.