Preview: Building the Oonagh Rowing/Sailing Dinghy, Part 8 – Protecting the Bottom
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March 10, 2021
Email this Video to a FriendRolling epoxy into the layer of dynel cloth sheathing Oonagh’s bottom.
NOTE: If you’re new at this, we HIGHLY recommend that you also watch the “related videos” listed with Eric Blake, Russell Brown and Bill Thomas. You’ll need to install the first topside plank prior to covering the bottom with dynel or fiberglass (if you are doing this optional step to protect the bottom). You can use the Part 9 video (the sheer plank) to see how the first topside plank would be installed. Since the process is virtually the same, we elected not to film both topside planks being installed so as not to be redundant.
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9 Responses So Far to “Building the Oonagh Rowing/Sailing Dinghy, Part 8 – Protecting the Bottom”
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Richard Honan says:
How many coats of epoxy did Kit apply to the Dynel after the initial installation of the fabric? Were the additional coats rolled on or squeegeed applied. After which coat did she sand the weave?
Kit Macchi says:
On this build I skim coated with west epoxy and 407 filler added to a creamy peanut butter consistency after lightly sanding the dynel. It’s helpful to squeegee to avoid air bubbles between the weave.. If you’re able, you can do a coat of just epoxy over the initial dynel, then sand that and skim coat with 407 – the clear coat will fill the weave a bit more easily and you’ll use less 407.
THOMAS HATCH says:
I’m just now ready for this step, which I’ll do next week. Check out my blog at tomsboat.com. Love to hear your comments.
carl prestipino says:
What’s the difference between Dynel and Fiberglass? I just used some random weave mat fiberglass on a rowing scull hull where cracks and gouges were, and used 2 part West Systems epoxy and it was a mess! The cloth was too thick I think, and the epoxy ran everywhere due to the upside down hull shape. What did I do wrong?
Steve Stone says:
Hi Carl. Good question. Most builders would use fiberglass for this aspect of protecting the outside of the hull, but the Hylan yard uses dynel. Doug may want to weigh in on the specifics of why, but as I understood it from Kit they see dynel as more abrasion resistant and figerglass as more structural. Even more options include kevlar and carbon fiber, but you won’t see those implemented much in this application on small boatsdue to cost and figerglass or dynel do the job well for a lower cost and may be easier to work with. That’s probably an oversimplification, but you get the point. As for your particular foulup with fiberglass, I’d encourage you to watch the “related videos” under this video where Russell Brown and Eric Blake walk you through the specifics of using fiberglass to sheath a hull. Lastly, you’ve reminded me that we need to do a video solely on fiberglass and dynel cloth and address the weights. Eric does talk about the two different kinds of weaves in his videos. But you’re right, it can create quite a cluster if not done well.
Michael Seibert says:
When I was building my Lightning, I considered Dynel & Xynole as well as fiberglass cloth for the deck. I came across a West System study where they evaluated how much epoxy was needed for each of those applications. If I remember correctly, Dynel & Xynole required considerably more epoxy than FG cloth, and my estimate was that the extra epoxy would add something like 10 lbs to the weight of my deck. Right now I can’t find that study, but it is out there somewhere.
Lou Kimball says:
Thank you, thank you, thank you….
Doug Hermann says:
Glad we are getting back to the videos! Thank you Steve and extended team! Kit you are doing an excellent job in describing the processes with the appropriate level of detail. Well Done!
Maura Mulcahy says:
Perfect, this is my mission this weekend Kit. Hope we can meet someday so you can see your tutelage in motion. Steaming along…