Glass Mould Over Wood

[nancur373]

I want to build a fibreglass version of my friends boat. I want to glass over its hull then remove the shell. I need some pointers like how thick should the glass be and how to make it structurally sound how to make the glass not stick to the wood etc. Thanks.

[nancur373]

I heard of several people here in NF doing it but don't know anyone in particular. I do know it can be done.

[timgoz]

Anything that would keep the shell from coming off the mold/boat would obviously have to be removed. Then I would assume the entire mold/boat would need a suitable wax liberally applied. You still might end up with the glass stuck on the boat for eternity. Plastic sheeting might work, might melt to.

Hopefully one of the glass experts will answer one of your posts. Just post once next time as multiple posts are discouraged.

Tim

[alan white]

I think double thickness plastic (after experimenting to ensure the plastic does not melt) would allow easy release. The idea is sound, producing a boat ever so slightly bigger.
I would do one side at a time and set up a female mold to cradle and align everything afterwards. I would copy the original boat's thickness in the initial lay-up and then add in the same reinforcements after setting up in the cradle?mold.
No reinforcement or added thickness should be done prior to the first layup stage, the transom should be seperate (though it too can be done in the same manner as the sides), and then all is flopped into the waiting mold/cradle for assembly/completion.
Some fairing will be needed, but a neat job should make this a relatively simple task. It would help if the donar boat was carreened to allow the two sides to be successively as horizontal as possible.
I like the idea. I don't know about the legal issues, but I assume the class association rules would be broken if the boat is not exactly the same dimensions if such would apply.
Note: If the shrink-wrap film used for winter storage doesn't melt from MEK, it might be worth it to have that done for a relatively seamless job. Doing it in two halves allows wrapping around the other side, removing, and repeating on the opposite side. Reverse curves will present a problem, however. Depends on hull shape.

Alan

[SamSam]

I want to build a fibreglass version of my friends boat. I want to glass over its hull then remove the shell. I need some pointers like how thick should the glass be and how to make it structurally sound how to make the glass not stick to the wood etc. Thanks.

You want to make a mold from an existing boat, and then make a boat like that, from the mold? It depends on how big the boat is, what the finish is, the actual shape, especially as to negative angles, how long you want the mold to last, etc. Pictures help.

Or do you want to pull a shell off your friends boat and make that into a boat?

[timgoz]

I think he wants to do the later Sam

Tim

[nancur373]

You want to make a mold from an existing boat, and then make a boat like that, from the mold? It depends on how big the boat is, what the finish is, the actual shape, especially as to negative angles, how long you want the mold to last, etc. Pictures help.

Or do you want to pull a shell off your friends boat and make that into a boat?

Yes Sam. I wan to pull a shell off.

[nancur373]

Thanks for all the tips so far guys

[fiberglass jack]

yes it can be done, my main concern would be the condition of your buddys boat, the surface will need to be quite smooth with no flaky paint, you might have to sand the boat down and repaint before you use it as a mould,