10 Foot Pram Drifter 1 layer of 6oz?

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by Brayden Plummer, Apr 18, 2023.

  1. Brayden Plummer
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    Brayden Plummer New Member

    I have had the plans fr this boat for almost 10 years and finally got around to building it this spring. I am closing in on the final glassing and I am in need of advise. All I could get from my local marine supply store was 6oz cloth. The plans call for 10oz. Should I double the layer or will one layer of 6oz be enough? Also I am reading some conflicting research on if I should coat the plywood with epoxy before I glass or wet it in place.

    The boat is going to be for gentle rivers with no rapids just the occasional swift.
    Any input is greatly appreciated.

    Regards
    Brayden
     
  2. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    Double on the bottom. Otherwise, the beach or landings will really wear off the one layer too quickly.

    the sides can use a single

    if you glass inside, same or at least double underfoot

    precoat as plywood can drysuck 6 ounce cloth
     
    rwatson, Darkzillicon and bajansailor like this.
  3. Brayden Plummer
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    Brayden Plummer New Member

    Many thanks for the quick response. I will precoat all of the outside of the wood before I lay any glass. I was thinking of covering the bottom, inside and out with truck bed liner spray. I have read that lots of drift boat builders are doing that. It looks like it will be perfect. Do you have any experience with using it on a boat?
     
  4. wet feet
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    wet feet Senior Member

    For chafe resistance double would be an improvement,or you could just overlap the two sides along the keel for local doubling.If solid items in the water were a consideration then an additional layer on the inside might be a good thing.
     
  5. rwatson
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    rwatson Senior Member

    Looks like you are getting some good advice, just a word of caution. Its amazing how quickly that bed liner , extra unnecessary layers of epoxy add weight.
    If you are manhandling the craft in any way, just be aware of making it awkward to handle
     
  6. Brayden Plummer
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    Brayden Plummer New Member

    Thank you for the intel on the truck bed liner. I am going to start with one layer of glass on the outside and a second layer on the bottom as long as my resin holds up. I want this boat to be lite so I can put it in the back of my truck. I am really considering this one a learning adventure to figure out the techniques so I am prepared for mistakes.
     
  7. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    Usually the way to achieve doubling is to glass a full piece of 50" wide fabric to each side and overlap them on bottom.
     
  8. Brayden Plummer
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    Brayden Plummer New Member

    Thank you for the tip with that as I was going to cut strips for the sides and do the bottom in one piece. Do you just cut wedges out to try and get the cloth to lay flat?
     
  9. catchcookcreate
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    catchcookcreate New Member

    just my thought double cloth will make it strong enough to need no bed liner or additional stuff.
    Additional sprays, coatings of epoxy etc add more weight than structural value, add another thing to buy, but 2x fiberglass during layup will make a huge difference over 1 layer, plus 10ft is easy enough to layer up with little added cost and you can always spray it over, but can't easily reglass it
     
  10. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    Sorry, I missed this reply.

    All depends on hull curvature, but darting is what you do, just lay the glass and slit it, of needed and then sand it flush after curing and neat coat.
     

  11. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    the clear coats of epoxy are done to fill the weave and keep the top edge of the glass from exposure
     
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