Flow Coat Question

Hey guys,

Quick question regarding a minor fix. I have my boat turned over right now to fix a damaged chine cap. The bottom fared very well for the past couple seasons that it has been in service, but it has a few pretty nice scratches. I was thinking after I fill the dinger in the chine cap with thickened epoxy and sand it fair, I would put another flow coat on the entire bottom.

Right now the bottom has several coats of epoxy mixed with graphite over the glass. Can I just do a rough sand on the bottom and flow another coat right over? Will there be enough mechanical bond by sanding the areas prior to the flow coat? If that is no problem I will do that while she us upside down in the garage. I also think I will give her a light sand a another coat or 2 of varnish on the sides.

 

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks!

Jason K.

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Permalink Reply by Randy Dersham on March 25, 2011 at 1:29pm

Yes, Jason.  It is the same as when you were between coats during the build. 

Sand the bottom smooth with 80 or 100 grit. If you need to fill deep scratched then add a little thickener to the epoxy but not too much. You are better off to allow the epoxy to flow into the scratch.

 

Wipe clean and lay down another coat of epoxy with graphite.  I then hand sand only in the stem to transom direction with 120 grit to expose the graphite.

Permalink Reply by AJ DeRosa on March 25, 2011 at 2:46pm

Annual maintenence like you are doing is fun and keeps your boat looking sharp.  With a clear finished panel it's always a good idea to add a coat or two of varnish now and then.  Our fleet rotates through the boat shop on about a 5-6 year basis.  With a dozen boats working we cetainly don't fluff every boat every year and you really don't have to unless it's broke.  My Rapid Robert was in this winter for a coat of paint and a new set of chine caps.  After fifeteen years of commercial use she deserved it.  The fiberglass bottom had so many scratches on it that they were hard to pick out.  A few had dug it expose a bit of glass but only slightly.  It is basically a glass/epoxy/graphite bottom that has been sanded smooth by the river bottom.  Didn't see a need to waste epoxy and time on a bottom that was still in perfect shape.  If you are worrying about a glass/epoxy bottom after 2 years use you have too much time on your hands or the fishing sucks.  On the other hand, back when I had only one boat I would probably have put a flow coat on it just because it looks nice and fresh.  When I flip  boat over I am most intereted in the integrity of the chine cap and joint.  This is where bad things can start to happen on a wooden bottom. 

It was nice to see you here in Jackson Hole this winter.  Could make for a good summer Honey Moon destination.  Oh shucks,  did I say that?

 

Cheers,  AJ

Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on March 25, 2011 at 3:22pm

Thanks guys.

Here are a few images of the bottom. It's in pretty good shape by all accounts, but I figure it can't hurt to put on another coat. Another couple coats of varnish on the sides is what it really needs. I put a few nice scratches in the finish trying to sneak by some downed branches last fall on the Pere Marquette. I am also planning on putting some metal strips on the chine caps to replace the UHMW strips that are on there now. Maybe a stainless quarter round (Thanks for the suggestion AJ)

After I get the outside freshened up I want to get a fresh coat of oil on that interior. The final touch will be to set a steelhead on the casting deck for good measure.

 

Permalink Reply by lhedrick on March 25, 2011 at 7:03pm
From the images the bottom look like it's in good shape.  I would just fix the ding on the cap and save the epoxy for later on.
Permalink Reply by Dave Z on March 26, 2011 at 5:49pm

If that's all the ding in the chine cap, man, you are lucky!  frankly, i wouldn't worry about it.  Most of your bottom looks glossy still,  looks to be in great shape.

Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on March 27, 2011 at 2:31pm

Fishing is slow, it's cold, and I have a proper mix of free time with a touch of "ocd"... which translates into a the little ding getting fixed, a fresh coat of epoxy on the bottom and 2 coats of spar on the sides and transom "just because" As soon as we get clear of 30 degree highs, the boat will be ready to float.

 

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 29, 2011 at 8:34am

Jason, nice work! Sure does look good. Will we see you again in April?

 

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on March 29, 2011 at 3:53pm

Thanks Rick. I think Christine and I will be missing the show this year. We are getting married this summer, and apparently planning a wedding can take some time and resources! haha. So we are hoping to swing it next spring. 

 

 

Permalink Reply by Rick Newman on March 29, 2011 at 10:15pm

Jason, if you come out here I understand there are numerous wedding chapels available. Heck I'll bet we could arrange for a few hundred witnesses, beer, burgers and a good float into the sunset.

Greg is the master of almost everything, he could probably even find a drift-boating minister too. Sweet, simple, no fuss no muss, Randy, Greg and I have things under control, all you have to do is show up!  No more planning, no guest lists, maybe some white waders...........

 

Randy has already done at least one wedding, check out the early pictures.  Hey with Greg's Contour Video cams we could probably even outfit everyone with one and beam it back home! 

 

Good to hear from you, good luck with the wedding plans! Give Christine our best too!  Hey, maybe if you don't get married out here you could just wear one of Greg's hat cams for the wedding and have it live on Wooden Boat People! 

 

Rick Newman

Permalink Reply by Jason Knight on March 30, 2011 at 3:02pm

Rick,

That does sound like a hell of a good time!

Rest assured, the wedding is on the water, in Traverse City, MI on the peninsula up there. I think we will be arriving and departing from the party on a boat, so all is not lost! haha

 

Makes me wonder if I should have started the little jet sled before the wedding... hmmmm : )

 

 

Permalink Reply by Robert Puckett on April 26, 2011 at 8:28am
Hi Jason, Nice job on the repair. I also live here in the midwest and we are getting ready to order the little sister to your boat. The 16.5 x 48 low profile convertible. It will be used mostly on the Pere Marquette. Any tips you can lend during construction would be greatly appreciated. This will be our first build. Robert

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