Re-Fiber Glassing?

Jfreeman1412 · Post by **Jfreeman1412** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:00 pm

Hey Guys I am thinking in the off-season of Fiber glassing the Cabin roof and bow of my Sea raider. Anyone done something like this before? Looking for tips and pointers. Thanks

Vitaliy · Post by **Vitaliy** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:11 pm

looks like one hell of a project, just outa curiosity why would u glass over all that great wood? i think the wood gives it charecter

Jfreeman1412 · Post by **Jfreeman1412** » Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:11 pm

IDK....Some of the wood is soft and I want it to be maintenance free and free of leaks!

Allen Sr · Post by **Allen Sr** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 5:34 am

If some of that wood is soft then that issue should be handled before glassing it in or you will be headed for even bigger issues down the road. JMO

Jfreeman1412 · Post by **Jfreeman1412** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:39 am

If some of that wood is soft then that issue should be handled before glassing it in or you will be headed for even bigger issues down the road. JMO

Yeah I will replace the wood.

todd brinkerhoff · Post by **todd brinkerhoff** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 9:49 am

I think you'll be disappointed with trying to fiberglass over older wood. For those that do fiberglass over wood, they will start with new, dry, and stable wood. The wood on your deck is meant to breath and slightly expand and contract. When you fiberglass over that wood, it can't breath and therefore begins to decay. I would suggest looking at the Smith's Clear Penetrating Epoxy, because it penetrates and stabalizes the wood, but still allows it to breath and expand. Research it first, as it does have some requirements. I love wood boats and enjoy working with them, but they are a lot of work. Good luck.

jddens · Post by **jddens** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 10:13 am

The PO did this to my 1972 Sea Raider. He removed all the teak and old plywood, put down mahogany plywood, sealed with epoxy and painted. It came out great. That was 8 years ago and it still looks great....and no leaks. Here's a couple pics......John

Jfreeman1412 · Post by **Jfreeman1412** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 12:13 pm

I think you'll be disappointed with trying to fiberglass over older wood. For those that do fiberglass over wood, they will start with new, dry, and stable wood. The wood on your deck is meant to breath and slightly expand and contract. When you fiberglass over that wood, it can't breath and therefore begins to decay. I would suggest looking at the Smith's Clear Penetrating Epoxy, because it penetrates and stabalizes the wood, but still allows it to breath and expand. Research it first, as it does have some requirements. I love wood boats and enjoy working with them, but they are a lot of work. Good luck.

Yes I would replace the Wood with new wood. We had someone in the harbor do the fiberglass and it looks great! I reallly like the look of it and think it would stand the test of time. The painted mahogany looks great as well. IDK.....I am by no means a fiberglass expert so i don't know exactly what this would entail, but I am kind of set on the idea to update the look of the boat and prevent leaks.

jefflaw35 · Post by **jefflaw35** » Tue Aug 07, 2012 5:17 pm

its not hard, just alot of dirty messy work thats all