fiberglass canoe construction

[hfxpiper2]

Hi, I’m looking to build a 14' river canoe out of fiberglass with this mold I’ve recently acquired. The mold is a half mold in which the fiberglass would be laid on the inside (female mold) the two halves once produced must then be attached together.
As I’ve never built a fiberglass canoe before I have a few questions about it
- My biggest question is how many layers of fiberglass should I lay and what types of fiberglass should I use to build a sturdy yet relatively light weight
- As far as supports / reinforcements I’m curious as to what kind of materials are needed if they are needed.

If anyone has ever built a canoe with a halve mold any information or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

[pistnbroke]

first I think we need a photo of the mould to see what type of canoe it is ..certainly polyester resin will be much cheaper but how thick depends on how strong you need it and that dependent on your use ....you could build it thin and then add extra layers to the inside if you feel its too weak.....photo ..no need to host them just go advanced and add as an attachment ...click the paper clip symbol.......

[PAR]

Are you sure they are half molds and the hull shell is bonded down the centerline or is it a mold that's designed to be used, clamped together and the hull shell popped out whole, by separating the halves?

I you want a heavy canoe, use polyester. If you want lighter use vinylester, if you want really light then consider epoxy.

[hfxpiper2]

heres some pictures









from what i understand you build one half, then take it out and build the other. then im supposed to attach the two some how.

[pistnbroke]

I can see if there were a pair of these it would be almost impossibe to glass into the for and aft extreems..so it looks like glass it with a trun down along the entre line ...getting the thickness right particulary at front and rear ... Then clamp the two together ..wet resin along the join line then resin and glass inside . easy . Then grind off the surplus. Trim top edge with timber...cross seats etc ..looks like a technical school facility to me ....

[nwahs]

interesting , hope you take some photos along the way i would like to see them.
thx

[hfxpiper2]

I’m going to use fiberglass for its construction. I’ve seen some things online where the builders say to layer woven fiberglass cloth and fiberglass mat one after the other. However I’ve yet to see any information as to how many layers of each or whether or not this is a good idea. I was also wondering if there are any recommendations toward what type of (s-glass or e-glass) fiberglass and how to layer the woven cloth.

[bulldog500]

Building one half and then the other and marrying the 2 is really a pain. I use to produce 100's of 15' and 17' fiberglass canoes.. Using a 1 piece hull mold with a split in the stern of the mold with a flange

For Layup just use one layer of 1 1/2 ounce matt and one layer of 18 oz woven roving. If a stiffner is needed to min oil canning from a flat bottom canoe. Use Microballoons or thin core mat on floor of canoe. OR Glass in a 3/4 " 1/2 round into floor. This works too.

If you use more than one layer of mat and roving Your canoe will weigh a Ton

[nwahs]

im no exspert, but i know just enoughf for trouble

i have a great book on doing white water boats, by charles wallbridge
discusses great detail on layup, stress risers, and differnt resins and weaves.

also id avoid mat for this small a boat and just use cloth and roving- mat cheap& is stiff but real heavy

other advice is possable? ends may need a little extra cloth layers due to aditional stress, and bottom in a canoe can be real flat, may need rib- but watch stress riser- the book talkes about spaceing such distances multiple layers. good luck