Dumas Chris Craft Build Pt. 7, Fiberglass

This week we start the process of fiberglassing the hull. After a few hundred dollars and 60+ hrs of labor, the process has been frustrating and stressful. I believe the best way to learn is to do. Hope you enjoy!
www.Dumasproducts.com
Kit #1249
Music: Redwood Trail
Musician: music by audionautix.com
License: creativecommon...
Music: Goa
Musician: ASHUTOSH
Site: ashutoshmusic....
Music: Outside
Musician: @iksonmusic
N.Y.R. Vid 13/52
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[@marklaurint7492]

Had the same issue with a triple cockpit. But was working in 90+F garage! Had to strip and sand all the way down. It was a mess. Switched to epoxy after that. Z-poxy finishing grade is what I use now. Pretty fool prof and sands easy. I cut the stuffing box out and mounted/aligned, sealed with JB weld before glassing. Makes for a nice sealed and smooth look.
Looks like you did a nice planking job.

[@starportboatworks]

Its looking like your Triple and my 49 are going to have similar stories.. I sanded and added a second layer of poly a couple hours ago, and I will be testing epoxy tonight.
If I can do better I will. Its nice to know Im not the only one who has had this issue.

[@marklaurint7492]

Any nicks in the cloth will disappear with a resin top coat. The main thing is removing any bubbles between the cloth and wood. That’s what I use the card for to push out the bubbles. A thin coat is all you need.

[@marklaurint7492]

Looking good! What weight cloth did you end up using? Fiberglass resin hardener to resin ratio can be tricky when applying at cold or hot ambient temperatures. Epoxy is a straight forward 50:50 whatever the volume. No glass cloth on the top? Another coat on the cloth and it will disappear.

[@starportboatworks]

Given time constraints, I opted to use Bondo brand fiberglass from the automotive section. I followed the ambient temp and mixing ratio but after 3 days and a light sand, the resin is still tacky.
To make matters considerably more stressful, I don’t believe I saturated the cloth enough with resin and I am concerned that sanding and a second layer of resin, won’t hide the cloth.
Given this Issue, I opted to Not fiberglass the Deck.
Im still not sure what I’ll do for the bottom sides.
1. I should have ignored the developer and planked the bottom with the remaining wood.
2. I should have gotten West Systems epoxy like I had intended.