Composite transom...composite stringers...what about the floor?

[Hawkeye1]

Re: Composite transom...composite stringers...what about the floor?

Thats right BL you can stagger the seams. I wouldn't bet the farm on all these wood free boats. Until you see one that beat the sea for 30 years and is still holding up, i will take a properly made fg and wood. A lot of your custom high dollar yacht builder still use wood and epoxy. If the boat builders would use more epoxy on the wood structure parts you wouldn't see near as many problems. Most problems occure when the cut holes in the stringers and bulkheads and dont seal them up. That goes for the floor also.

 

[Franki]

Re: Composite transom...composite stringers...what about the floor?

Hi guys, <br /><br />I wrote to these guys and asked if it would bond to glass well..<br /><br />I got a pretty straight answer.. NO!<br /><br />It also expands alittle to much for marine uses.. (it expands with heat, not water.)<br /><br />just thought you guys should all know.<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[outonbizniz]

Re: Composite transom...composite stringers...what about the floor?

Frank is that KingStarBoard of Polyboard you are talking about?

 

[Franki]

Re: Composite transom...composite stringers...what about the floor?

This stuff...<br /><br /> http://www.renewresources.com/polyboard.html <br /><br />I emailed them and asked if it would bond to fiberglass.. he wrote back and said "not very well"<br /><br />doesn't mean you can't use it.. just means you can't glass it in...<br /><br />I'd probably keep looking though..<br /><br />I think you should use wood.. its only the floor..<br /><br />I don't like wood stringers or transom.. but the floor is not really a structural member.. and its raised up.. so less effect of rot damage to a degree.. and easier to replace then stringers/transom.. <br /><br />in your position I'd look around for an alternative alittle longer, then settle for ply if I didn't find any..<br /><br />(maybe you should find a "non wood" boat manufacturer and email them regarding what they use.. (pretend you are a potential client.) they will tell you all manner of stuff...)<br /><br />rgds<br /><br />Frank

 

[dhammann]

Re: Composite transom...composite stringers...what about the floor?

What about pressure treated plywood? About $25 for a 4x8 sheet at Lowes. No need for sealing with resin or epoxy....Just a thought.

 

[epresutti]

Re: Composite transom...composite stringers...what about the floor?

Like hawkeye1 I just glassed in the deck (after lot's of other stuff but thats another story). Multiple layers of wood with a layer of glass is much stronger than a single layer of wood with glass.<br /><br />I did some research, used the West Systems "FiberGlass Boat Repair and Mantenance" in addition to "The Fiberglass Manual" by Keith Noakes, not to mention advice from this forum.<br /><br />I was warned away from pressure treated wood (didn't try it), but apparently it has a high moisture content and will rot from the inside if encased in glass.<br /><br />I used two layer of 3/8ths with glass on both sides and in between each layer. Using marine grade seemed to be an interesting question. The important thing I learned (from this forum and other sources) was that the plywood must be free of voids. Luan (1/4") or plywood designed for tile floors that have no voids seem to be the same as marine grade (my oppinion). I put together some samples to check and you can beat them REALLY hard with a hammer and still not break through.<br /><br />Additionally, I used epoxy resin.<br /><br />I will be posting on my WEB site the entire project AFTER I am in the water.<br /><br />Hope this helps,<br /><br />Cheers.<br /><br />emp.