*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: If you can taste the salt in the air.....it's time for a bigger boat!
Chrisrack - I'll have to look into the RAKA if I take on any other project. I've already bought 10 gallons of West System, it was $786 for the two 5 gallon kits. With west system you can get different hardeners as well. I'm using the slow but think sometimes I should have went with the tropical. As long as you don't leave large amounts mixed in the pot together it doesn't kick for like 20 or so minutes.
Good heads up on safe handling of the epoxy. I have a 3M full facemask/respirator I borrowed for my sanding and grinding and always wear gloves. I can replace the sweat from the heat but not my lungs. I have been using Denatured Alcohol to take it off though, not vinegar. I have not been sanding stuff I glassed in the same day right now. Still plugging along at it . . . .
~James
__________________ "no matter how beautiful a woman is, someone, somewhere is sick of her sh*t"
41 Hatteras - Hatt'ras Bound Sportfishing
O.U.P.V. Captain
Last edited by jaybyrd83ecu; 07-28-2009 at 04:34 PM.
Reason: sp
The most important thing to consider with your boat is below deck ventilation, I properly vented boat will last a lot longer than one that holds humidity and condensates on the underside of the floor
Some of you will think I am over reacting or a nervous nelly but,
Please take extra precautions with epoxies. The higher the ratio, usually the less harmful they are. A 5:1 ratio is the best and a 1:1 is the worst for your health. The hardener is what will get you. Wash mixed epoxy off of your skin with vinegar. Wash plain hardener off with soapy water. There are MANY builders that can't step foot in the shop if there is epoxy being used or is gassing off. This is serious! If you get sensitized to epoxy the signs are flushing, itching and open sores. Some folks skin looks like a burn victim when they get around it. The signs of the reaction last a while like a few days. The sensitization will be with you for the rest of your life. There are some folks who haven't been around it for years after they become sensitized and they get near it again and the results are instantaneous.
Don't ever sand half cured epoxy... when it is soft. The microscopic particles get in your lungs and continue to cure....This is where most of this damage happens. Wear gloves when handling it in a liquid and wear a mask when sanding. Good ventilation is a must. The biggest and best fan you can afford.
Please spend a little more $ on a 5:1 ratio epoxy and be able to enjoy using it for a longer time of your life. One out of every 20 people will become sensitized if they use epoxy for any length of time. Please take this seriously. There are some sales reps that call on builders that don't work around it but just go to the shops on occasions that have become sensitized just from being near it for a short period of time. There is a man here in NC that started a boat for himself and became sensitized in the middle of the project. The boat just sits there and who knows when it will be finished. The two states that use epoxy the most in boatbuilding are Florida and North Carolina. Obviously we will see more of this here because of the volumes used. Please be careful.
Wow. Powerful warning TB. Thank you for this insight. I have heard of sensitization but wasnt aware that the hardener was the cause.
Great project Jaybird - Keep up the intensity!
I have a 23 SeaOx that I have been starting to start the same work on for the past 3 years. Have you kept a log of expenses you would be willing to share?
Starmonk - I've kept a pretty good log of the expenses. I'll share a little later. I'm in the middle of moving along with trying to finish this boat up and don't have internet yet so I"ll update and get back to you when I get service at the new house.
Only thing left to do is glue the floor down, tab it in, and glass the top! I'll have pix in a week or two.
__________________ "no matter how beautiful a woman is, someone, somewhere is sick of her sh*t"
41 Hatteras - Hatt'ras Bound Sportfishing
O.U.P.V. Captain
Crab48 - I don't think I will be trading this brand new 23'er for an older 18'er but thanks for the offer.
N3NFX - If yours is starting to go, you may want to jump on it before the stringers go too. Just tackle the floor and you will save yourself ALOT of time, money, and energy.
__________________ "no matter how beautiful a woman is, someone, somewhere is sick of her sh*t"
41 Hatteras - Hatt'ras Bound Sportfishing
O.U.P.V. Captain
Mine is still solid Jay, relatively new still. I have the 2004, 25' standard. Nice to see how the under side is built though since there are few deck inspection plates.
You're golden if its that new. Thing that ticked me off was that they had originally used household plywood, didn't glass the bottomsides of any of the wood, and left the screws in the deck and glassed over them. Certainly wasn't made to last. . . When I'm done, I don't thing a new deck will be neccessary for a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng time. The hull itself is plenty thick though. I know you love the 25 if you're anything like me.
__________________ "no matter how beautiful a woman is, someone, somewhere is sick of her sh*t"
41 Hatteras - Hatt'ras Bound Sportfishing
O.U.P.V. Captain
Updated. A few pictures of the floor fully glassed.
__________________ "no matter how beautiful a woman is, someone, somewhere is sick of her sh*t"
41 Hatteras - Hatt'ras Bound Sportfishing
O.U.P.V. Captain
That looks nice..... Take a measurement on the hull from gunnel to gunnel and make sure she didn't flop open on you when the stringers and the floor were out. You would be unhappy if the boat is now 1" wider... The deck cap won't fit!! I have seen this happen. Not to scare you but you might want to check. Measure the inside of the deck cap for a reference. Keep up the great work.
Got the top deck on her this past weekend. Took a little effort, to get it to fit just right but it's done. Hoping to get the bracket installed this weekend and build covering board for across the stern top deck. Few more pix on the other site.
__________________ "no matter how beautiful a woman is, someone, somewhere is sick of her sh*t"
41 Hatteras - Hatt'ras Bound Sportfishing
O.U.P.V. Captain
Got the top deck on her this past weekend. Took a little effort, to get it to fit just right but it's done. Hoping to get the bracket installed this weekend and build covering board for across the stern top deck. Few more pix on the other site.
What type of wood are you using for your core in the stringers, deck, and transom? Looks nice.
I used 1/2 mirani glued to 1" hydrocore plywood for the stringers. They got fully encapsulated when I glassed them in. It was also cheaper than 2 - 3/4" sheets of mirani because I wanted 1.5" stringers. For the stern I used hydrocore and mirani as well. For the floor I used 3/4" mirani glassed on both sides. I think it will look alot better once I get some paint on her Time will tell.
Shay, thanks. I'll try and ride over one evening after work. Check out how much work you've really been doing.
__________________ "no matter how beautiful a woman is, someone, somewhere is sick of her sh*t"
41 Hatteras - Hatt'ras Bound Sportfishing
O.U.P.V. Captain
Looks like a nice project. I see that your bracket was designed for a different angled transom than yours. Make sure you get the height right because you may have to adjust it for the difference.
the same work on for the past 3 years. Have you kept a log of expenses you would be willing to share? 
Time will tell.
