This is an archived message posted to the Kayak Building Bulletin Board. If you would like to ask a question about building kayaks, you can post a new message.
My experience with polyester is contrary to other peoples opinions. I have had two wooden boats (plywood) that were covered with glass/polyester. One was an 8 ft sailing dingy that I built. I had it for a number of years. It was stored outside, I had no trouble with delamination of the glass from the wood and no problems with water entering the wood through the glass. My second experience was with a 26 ft Doug Fir plywood sailboat. There was no delamination problem and it was many years old. It was in the water all the time. The only rot problem I had was in the area where the glass was compromized by cutting holes through it.
I cannot compare to epoxy. Epoxy may well be better. However, based on my experience and knowing that a kayak spends most of it's time out of water I wouldn't hesitate to us poly to bond the glass to the wood. strength comes from the glass not the epoxy. As long as the bond is good the strength should not be compromized by the poly. Earl
This is an archived message from The Kayak Building Bulletin Board.
Guillemot Kayak - High
Performance Wooden Sea Kayak Designs
