Epoxy

[sbklf]

I am repairing a boat that is supposedly vinylester constructed. After reading manufacturers info, I have decided to use epoxy for its bonding and strength characteristics. I have read information on West System, System Three and MAS epoxies. West System is convienient so I was going with it. Are there any reasons I should consider the others? Repairs include stringer reattachment, flooring replacement, and adding laminations to the hull. Lots of corners to make and area to cover. Is there a certain weight woven that might work well in all these areas or will I need a variety? I am worried about strength not appearance. Kevin

[Herman]

All 3 manufacturers make good epoxy. I would not be worried about that.

Get a roving that is not too course. I am not too familiar with the imperial units, but I would recommend a 300-400 gr/m2 woven roving or cloth for this.

Good luck!

[boatbuilder.org]

I agree with herman, all those will work. I prefer MAS low viscosity resin (easier to use with glass) and now the the entire line of MAS is blush free including the fast.
---Joel---

[wdnboatbuilder]

sorry to hear about using west. i have found ot to be brittle and damn expensive. just cause it cost alot does not mean ot works well. I use raka epoxy and have had no problems with it. thats raka.com

[Roly]

Here the cycloaliphatics and low blush are dearer than west. I, too are cautious about the brittleness of 105 resin. Although, not much point having
a low-mod. resin with a hi-mod. glass.
Gerr's "Elements of boat strength" is good reference for fillet scaling and tabing.

[sbklf]

Thankyou for the valuable Raka information.
Any opinions on using a 17 oz biaxial cloth maybe with a matt backing like the 1708 for the variety of repairs I have to make? Any suggestions? Kevin

[Roly]

I would delete the matt for use wth epoxy.Just use biaxial.

[wdnboatbuilder]

I agree, if you have to have a finish then I would use a high build epoxy primer and it should hide any weave.

[sbklf]

This boat has 3 foam filled fiberglass stringers, one on each side (upside down L shape,and one in the middle (upside down U shape) and it is foam filled between the floor and hull. Do they rely on this foam for any structural support? The stringers are only about 1/8 to 3/16 thick by about 10" X 10". Can I remove a section of it and resplice it or is this not advisable? Kevin