FG and wood question

[Rich M]

I haven't been around for a while - however, just built another small FG & plywood boat. This one is 10 ft long, 44 inches wide, and weighs about 80#.

I used 1/4 inch plywood and then 7-1/2 oz E cloth inside and out. The inside and outside seams were taped twice with 3 inch tape. Mid-grade polyester resin.





I had 2 questions - would I gain much strength by using 8 or 9 oz satin weave cloth over the 7-1/2 oz "regular weave" on the outside of the hull?

The second question pertains to applying the FG tape before or after the FG cloth - is it just as strong either way? Or is it better one way or the other?

[rasorinc]

Most builders use tape 1st then full glass over that after feathering. One layer of glass is for waterproofing only and scratch resistence. You get a little cohesion from it but not true strength. The wood provides the strength.

[rwatson]

What makes you think you need to re-inforce?

[Rich M]

Its one of those "always try to do better" things.

I designed the boat over several years of building similar boats (8 ft boats) - always trying new twists and such. The boat worked out very well in its test run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blumcB0x2Is

I'd like to build another one that is about 10-15# lighter than this one by using lighter transom and bulkhead wood - and lighter flotation foam - and doing something else for a motor mount instead of 2 big pieces of 3/4 inch ply.

So, I'd just like to improve on the last one.

If I can gain any significant strength in slightly heavier FG, I would like to.

OR if I would be better off using S cloth and or epoxy resin.

I'm looking at my last boat build for a while due to finances and a possible move in the near future.