I'm just beginning a restoration of a 1964 Power Cat 15T - I'll start a resto thread once I get a little farther along in the project. The floor and transom are rotten and are being replaced, the engine is being brought back to life, and the interior/exterior are going to be spruced up.
Right now I'm trying to decide on the materials to use. I'd prefer to use poly resin because of the cost, but in my discussions with the manufacturers of the resins I have available to me locally, I've decided to go with West Systems Epoxy. It's expensive, but my main concern is safety. Where I live in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada it's still very early spring, and the temperatures can fluctuate quite dramatically. I'm not sure that I could maintain the temperature required for poly resin to cure completely for the length of time I need. The technical people at the poly resin place said I need 60 degrees for 48 hours for a complete cure. The technical people at West Systems said they reach a complete cure in 6-8 hours and the temperature required is just 40 degrees. I KNOW that I can do that.
So, what I'm considering is using a simple layer of fiberglass cloth and resin on the bottom & sides of the floor just to waterproof them before installing, and then sealing & tabbing in the top of the floor with 3 layers of 1708 cloth.
I'd also like to seal the rearmost part and sides of the transom with the fiberglass cloth and epoxy to waterproof them, and again tab in & coat the transom with 3 layers of 1708.
It seems like everyone has an opinion on materials, and it's hard to cut through and find the truth. Your opinions and suggestions are completely welcomed.
Regards,
Ryan
Right now I'm trying to decide on the materials to use. I'd prefer to use poly resin because of the cost, but in my discussions with the manufacturers of the resins I have available to me locally, I've decided to go with West Systems Epoxy. It's expensive, but my main concern is safety. Where I live in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada it's still very early spring, and the temperatures can fluctuate quite dramatically. I'm not sure that I could maintain the temperature required for poly resin to cure completely for the length of time I need. The technical people at the poly resin place said I need 60 degrees for 48 hours for a complete cure. The technical people at West Systems said they reach a complete cure in 6-8 hours and the temperature required is just 40 degrees. I KNOW that I can do that.
So, what I'm considering is using a simple layer of fiberglass cloth and resin on the bottom & sides of the floor just to waterproof them before installing, and then sealing & tabbing in the top of the floor with 3 layers of 1708 cloth.
I'd also like to seal the rearmost part and sides of the transom with the fiberglass cloth and epoxy to waterproof them, and again tab in & coat the transom with 3 layers of 1708.
It seems like everyone has an opinion on materials, and it's hard to cut through and find the truth. Your opinions and suggestions are completely welcomed.
Regards,
Ryan
