Metholated Spirits

[Poida]

some people have raised concerns about epoxying the outside and inside of hull because they consider that you can't get rid of the moisture and it would only seal the moisture in. Although when you have 40 degree heat not much moisture is left in anything.

If the ply was saturated with metholated spirits and metho can mix with water I would think you would now have a hull with a water/metho mix that mould could not exist in.

After the metho saturation you apply the sealer and metho is compatable with the sealer and is used as a thinners, the metho soaked into the hull would not effect the sealer.

I would not think that the metho would damage the glue used in the ply as metho is used as the thinners for the sealer.

Is there anything wrong here with my thinking?

[tri - star]

We have had a 65 ft wood / epoxy hull in service since '88.
A recent survey found no appreciable moisture under the epoxy.

The guys who distribute the West system epoxy have a most ex.
book on wood and epoxy.
Rather than talking to people, that are, well intentioned maybe,
but not qualified or expert.- I suggest you get a copy of
said book.

In the meantime, consider:
Much as I might be evengelical, regarding this type of construction....
Epoxy does have limitations.
First, it IS proberly, the most water resistant goo available....

However, water WILL pass through it.
It just happens a lot slower than with other materials.

This is OK. Because it means that the wood can still breathe.
Just slowly.....
As I understand it, the little creatures that cause dry rot,
require a quite narrow set of environmentle conditions to
survive. Very dry OR very wet - deters them.
Also very hot or very cold - ditto. Most important is: Time.

It seems that; epoxy slows moisture transfer just long
enough that it upsets the life cycle required to encourage
the little dears. I might have it wrong.
That's why you need to read the book. Always get info.
varified from more than one source....

What I can say with authority, is that when a boat stays
floating on her lines, for a quarter centry, she's not taking
on any significant amounts of water.

Either from Inside - or from Outside.

Cheers !