Dumb question for curiosity...

I've been looking at some plans for my first build and I have a simple dum question, if you build a wood frame, can you cover it with fiberglass cloth and then apply resin to build the hull, instead of using plywood?

 

Yes, though you'll need a fair bit of cloth and fairing will be a huge issue unless the "frame" is quite substantial. It would probably be easier to use one of the proven one off methods, rather then attempt to invent a new one.

 

A friend told me he tried to do exactly that. Trouble was that, as he applied resin, the fabric sagged. So he applied thickened resin to fair it, and the cloth sagged even more. the process continued until he had a thick, heavy, wavy hull that was unworkable.

 

google hannu's boatyard for plans and ideas you can execute.....frames are of the 50s 1950s that is ......

 

I work in the bodyshop and paint business and have worked with fiberglass many times to make custom parts, and I know that when the resin heats while drying it tends to deshape or get real wavy. Just wanted to know if it was the same in a boat frame, or if it was even possible... So basicaly Im better of sticking with plywood right?
Thanks guys for your responses and help it is very much appreciated....

 

you could use 1mm ply and glass the inside ...if you glass the outside you will have a big filling job to make it smooth....best to stick with the ply to start with but of course we dont know how big the boat is you are proposing.....or make an external frame ..ply the inside ...wax it and glass the inside then pull the ply off ...I once made a brilliant 5 m
..15ft canoe by bending some tin sheet left over from a shed into a mould and glassing the inside after spraying with canola oil......remember only epoxy resin sticks well to ply and polyester ..thats the cheap one does not stick to ply well.

 

There is no such thing as 1mm ply

Your canoe sounds absolutely lovely, Im sure Riva of Italy will be contacting you soon.

 

now frosty I like you ...why do you keep putting your foot in your mouth ....you just google 1mm ply ..loads of it available ..often used in model makeing ...What we are doing here is trying to help our american friend....ok you could try 1mm polycarboate sheet or cardboard. 22g ali etc,,,

And the canoe was such a success someone stole it .....it was made aborigone syle ...bark from a tree ( the tin) push out the centre with a stick and pull the end together with screws and clamp .....only boat I have not got a photo of.....

 

Ply denotes layered wood glued together. Im not sure a single layer would be known as ply, just 1mm sheet.

Its Ok about the photo of your canoe,--I understand you not having taken one.

 

Arhh found one ...

from left to right
Kawasaki Jetski with 40 HP outboard
Lifan/Hhonda Thai Long Tail
Haynes Hunter
Canoe (Blue with red fuel tank on bow hardwood capping to glass shell)
Mower....

So there it is does exist ....

 

what about fibreglass flyscreen , its cheap at your local hardware store, you would stretch it tight over the frames and staple it, then you would have the shape. go easy with the resin on the first glass layer so there is not to much mess underneath. flip it over glass the inside then add some bulkheads and stringers. should work.

 

because flyscreen has no stiffness it would not curve between the frames making a lot of flat panels ...

Think of the concept of tortured ply ...you can twist a sheet of ply and have curves ..you carnt twist flyscreen.

frosty ...the 1 mm ply is 3 ply ....

 

fair enough, sounds like he needs to look up strip planking or foam core . i have made a prop tunnel with liteply. i used it for the shape and glassed it in , i guess that would be the same as what you are saying. another thought i have had is making flat glass panels, just layed up on the shed floor on black plastic. then use them as stitch and glue like you were using plywood. dunno if it would work but i can't see why not.

 

yes I think you can buy the flat glass panels but not as cheap as diy...

 

IN smaller sizes it can be done, but not with GRP.

www.gaboats.com/

FF