Stringers ?

[HookMaster]

I am now ready to glass in the stringers on my '74 GT-150. I have a supply of 32 oz biaxial mat that I want to use on them. I think that one layer on the bottom attaching them to the hull and then a layer in the oposite direction over the top will be just fine. 32 oz is more than 24 oz roven and the biaxial might be easier to work with. Any thoughts.............


Don PS Link..............

http://www.shareaproject.com/pages/projectTut,p,524,00.html

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Stringers ?

Stuff that heavy is a PITA to work with around corners and edges. It will absolutely be strong but just a pain..... but what the heck if you have it on hand go for it!

 

[HookMaster]

Re: Stringers ?

I've used it on the transom and for sure it's strong! Used it to attach the transom supports etc. and it seems to go on ok on the inside corners but I might try and round over the top of the stringers. Also, I heard that polyester resin does not want to stick too good to bear wood so I guess I should "epoxy" the bare surface first or just "resin" coat it first?

I also wondered about using bread flour as a thickener for the resin to save some $$ where I need it. Would love to use clloidal silica but too costly. I tried sawdust but didn't think too much of that!

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Stringers ?

In this type of application bonding to the wood isn't as big of an issue, but if you use polyester you need to use a layer of mat under the Biax.

32oz can be difficult to work with at times, it just may not want to conform to a tight radius, so test it before doing a large section.

Silica works better to make putty, but wood flour (very fine saw dust) can be used. I havent used flour, but I know people that have in a pinch.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: Stringers ?

I've used that 3208 biax/mat combination, and it works nicely for areas you need to be strong. Be warned that it sucks up a tremendous amount of resin though.

I've actually switched to pre-wetting tabs/pieces of it before putting it into the boat, where I normally would wet it out in place. It's so thick I'd waste resin trying to get it soaked if I did it my normal way. I use a shallow plastic trough on a nearby table to wet it out, you could also use a paint roller tray with a plastic liner.

The other thing is that it won't follow corners except with a very big bend radius, so it'll go along the sides of the stringers ok and you can apply a strip to the top, but forget about bending it around the top corners, and you'll have to use a large fillet on the bottom.

Erik

 

[HookMaster]

Re: Stringers ?

Eric,

I think I am going to use the roven woven with the mat on the back. Looks like 24 oz and feels like it will bend over the top of the stringers ok.

The pic is of the roll of roven I got for $00.00 Can't beat that price Looks like about 100 lbs left on it.