Epoxy amount

Good Monday morning all. Does anyone know about how much epoxy to coat inside and outside and seams on spira veracruz?
Thanks,
Kiry laufer
I saw that yesterday west marine shut 50+ stores. Is there an epoxy good enough and more inexpensive? It seems to cost close to 200 per gallon.
Tx
Is there a vertical 2x4 under the middle of the boat or does it no-show that. I had a friend who's a builder come over to look at my progress. I had keelson in 96% in wrong place and boat would not have fit together. Nothing like success to boost the self esteem.
TX

 

The spira veracruz is 18' and not the wider style like the quintana style

 

I coat all bare plywood surfaces with 3 coats inside and out.

 

Thank for quick reply. Any idea on how many gallons for 18 ' ??
Thanks ,
Kity laufer

 

That's a bit tricky due the differences in how thirsty the exact wood in your boat will be.

At 10 mils you will get about 160 square feet of coverage per gallon. This doesn't include waste, so that needs to be accounted for.

 

For estimating you could start with a simple spreadsheet. Below assumes a boat made with 5 sheets plywood at the wet film and # of coats mentioned above, units are inches:

 

That is with resin and mud
in it and the slow cure?. the little squirt cans are too small to consider in full size boating interiors huh? It's a great idea. And is there a great epoxy known that's on par with west epoxy? Or do i only need a gallon or so to plug holes cover16 ribs joints (Optimisticaly) and then address the glaze with separate epoxy? Something coconutty or beachy scented. Does epoxy paint easily and not drip if its slow cure? Really dumb question, do I wrap the whole boat interior or exterior in fiberglass cloth or just the corners and joints do i eed to glue my ribs at every joint has anyone heard of getting a garage companywith resurfacing spray.
Thank yal for responses.
Tx
Kiry laufer
Thanks for the help.I really miss Mr Spira. He fielded my foolish questions for over 8 years.

 

The above example spreadsheet: the gallons would be mixed (resin and hardener). If you use a different ratio epoxy system you'd have to adjust for final volume.

Most of my epoxy work has been with 2:1 ratio 'clear' types that are typically low blush. These can range from 80$/gallon kits on Ebay to 120$/gallon or more retail.

Some the more inexpensive ones seem to be slower to cure and/or without the option for faster hardeners.

If you can commit to 3 gallons, some of the better brands will cost about as much as the bargain brands. I would avoid the 1:1 'craft' types and anything not specifically meant for lamination.

If you are in NC, you could consider sourcing from Cape Fear Composites. US Composites out of Florida is good too. I have a local one I use for stuff too except epoxy is usually less expensive to mail order. West System has tech support and self help articles than can be applied in general. Some people are fans of MAS and some like System Three. I have yet to try Raka.

Sounds like you need to backstop some of your construction ideas ideas with someone who has built that boat before and then get some hands on time with a small amount of epoxy and the other materials to learn the nature of the beast so to speak. My last small stitch and glue boat only has glass fabric on the bottom and a few inches up the sides and seams taped inside and out. You will need to paint afterwards or the epoxy will fail from UV exposure.

 

Wow. All really great stuff. Your observation of needing help is accurate. These days im stubborn and have a really bad disposition so I try to ask specific questions anonymously. I dont want anyone sharing secret info only to find im a real awhole Plus, without help it turns simple projects into multi year endeavors. Even a blind squirrel finds an occasional nut.
Tx again,
Kiry laufer

 

@Kiry laufer are you on Facebook? I am no longer, but when I was, there were group pages for almost any topic, and it would be well worth checking if there is a Spira builders group.

These guys can help with general questions, but will be stretched with specifics. The worst thing with FB is the DH factor, and if you're a hot head, force yourself to wait 24 hours before you reply to inflammatory messages, then don't. Your priority is to go fishing, not to argue.

I would imagine a lot of your questions would be answered in Jeff's books if you can find them.

Best of luck with this. How are you thinking of powering her?

 

Thanks for the tips. My "ways" are uncontrollable by me. Sucks.
For power 75hp at 40% should do about 36 mph.
I like the johnson90hpbut it is larger than recommended. The 90 cruises at 43 up to 48mph top but i hear over 40 is too fast for a spira.
Thanks again
Kiry laufer

 

Helmut,
Is the anti fouling bottom paint the type paint i need to paint. I "know" the sides get special paint too. How many coats of paint would I do. I just figured out (late night reading) the epoxy isnt boat white. The crazy thing is ive had 2 bought boats in last 15 years and can't answer my own questions. And being in those boats felt " safer" offshore than i think ill get with substandard work. Even the 17' scout.
Tx,
Kiry laufer
***My miter saw arrives today and I'm gonna go pretty fast i hope.(with accuracy and a few points to stay focused.)

 

I only have 1 guess as to what dh means. ______ head? Sorry if inappropriate guess.
Tx ,
Kiry laufer

 

If you post pictures, I’ll answer any questions.

Doesn’t your plan spec the required laminate?

 

My boat only came as a 55 page handbook for all spiras. The only thing I got for my specific panga was 5 pages of drawings with one list these are the only references to epoxy. They list this one gallon as hole filler, fiberglass cover and inner and outer boat and hull cover 3 times???
Thanks,
Kiry laufer
I'll definitely take you up on your offer for help. Thanks all