Newer boat building material.

[halas]

The poly resin gets a lot of bad rep on these forums: "does not bond; does not flex" etc.
I haven't much boat works background so I would ask anyone who is an expert or at least has more hands on experience.
Also wanted to know if quality boat manufacturerers build the newer boats with the poly resin, or they just sell that stuff to amateures like myself who shop at Home Depot?

 

[halas]

Re: Newer boat building material.

Thanks Bubba that was really helpful.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Newer boat building material.

Most every boat is made with poly resin. They may have a vinylester gel coat for waterproofing, but the balance is poly. Poly is a fine material when used properly. I only use epoxy for high strength repairs, where poly might be questionable, due to the nature of the repair.

BTW - poly will stick well to epoxy, and vice versa, provided the surface is cured, dry, solid, clean and sanded to remove glaze.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Newer boat building material.

Yes, what Chris1956 said. Most all pleasure craft are made from polyester resin. It holds up very well, is very durable and easy to fix.

I have used both polyester and epoxy. After using epoxy, I can say I would not use it again unless I really had to. There are very serious health issues, its expensive and it can not be gel coated, and it must have a epoxy based fairing material used to get good visual finish results. Those are 4 big strikes against it.

Poly is cheaper than epoxy, is not as toxic as epoxy, and produces a very strong FRP and is easily gel coated.

So unless you are building a speed boat with carbon fiber, go with the poly.

And don't pick on Bubba, he's trying to be helpful.

 

[halas]

Re: Newer boat building material.

Bubba, I actually used poly resin for sealing aluminum rivets in a14' Mirrocraft boat from the inside. I was scolded for it but I don't swim in money and it is still tightly bonded for the past 2 months since I applied it.
I also used it to glass a removable 1/2" plywood floor
in the same boat. Even though I was told by some that poly resin is not flexible it seams to be ok so far on the floor application (the 1/2" ply is flexing under my weight 220#).
I have not heard much good about poly resin so far except from Mark.
I personally like it and used it in the past for gluing wood and to waterproof wood in non boat related home remodeling type jobs. I have never used epoxy resin but I have read that most people prefer it over the poly resin.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Newer boat building material.

I have not heard much good about poly resin so far except from Mark

Do you not consider most every boat manufacturer using it to be a proper opinion? Epoxy is likely great stuff, but if nearly all boats are made using poly, I think that speaks volumes to its credit... and Mark giving it a good review seals the deal

 

[halas]

Re: Newer boat building material.

Lowkee, I agree.
Here is some pics of the glassed floor and the "poly gluvit" floor rivets that are painted over with basic rustoleum.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Newer boat building material.

WOW! I would have never considered canary yellow for an aluminum boat, but that is likely the best looking alum I've ever seen! That is just beautiful! Great work!

 

[halas]

Re: Newer boat building material.

Thanks Lowkee,
I mixed the paint myself to match the original color.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Newer boat building material.

Most every boat is made with poly resin. They may have a vinylester gel coat for waterproofing, but the balance is poly.....

I noticed when shopping online for poly resin, there are quite a few places that actually sell vinylester resin. Vinylester is the better of the two "esters", and not just for gel coat. If I recall correctly what I read about vinylester resin, it is stronger and more flexible than polyester. If you can get it, use it!

 

[SuzukiChopper]

Re: Newer boat building material.

I noticed when shopping online for poly resin, there are quite a few places that actually sell vinylester resin. Vinylester is the better of the two "esters", and not just for gel coat. If I recall correctly what I read about vinylester resin, it is stronger and more flexible than polyester. If you can get it, use it!

When I redid my boat, there was only one place locally that had any kind of large quantity of resin (didn't want the hassle of ordering from the states). He gave me a good deal on 5 gallons of it and at first thought it was poly (what I had asked for). When I got the barrel home it said 'vinylester'. Had never heard of it, hopped on here and read about it. I'm impressed by it and wished a person could buy it at the local DIY places like you can poly.