I am completely new to boat building. I have just started to build my first 12‘ wooden skiff. Do I need to add some floatation material to this boat? Also, the number of epoxy‘s is confusing. Do you have any suggestions? Yes, price is a factor. Thank you in advance for any help.
Keep the foam up near the gunwales. Yes closed cell foam is a must. If you keep the flotation higher, you have a better chance of keeping the puppy upright when Jack A. swamps you with the wake from his 36 footer he just bought yesterday.
A 12' wooden skiff probably won't have any empty spaces that foam would go without taking up storage space. Any foam that you do choose to use must be closed cell foam. It can be bought in sheets and as a self expanding mixture to fill voids. The problem with self expanding is that although it works well, it's a bear to get out if you ever decide to use that space for something else.
Epoxy should be the standard WEST system which should work exceptionally well for your size boat. Use the slowest hardener you can find (WEST 206 for example). If you need to - System 3 and MAS make good products. It's widely available many places, like West Marine or online at Jamestown Distributors (one of my favorites - link). Always use a mask and gloves - once you develop a sensitivity it won't go away. Don't buy fiberglass tape or cloth at a Marine store - it's way too expensive. Jamestown, aircraft building stores, or industrial supply are much cheaper. You'll probably want 4oz, or 6oz cloth at the heaviest - use layers *NOT* heavier cloth. It should be biaxial, but doesn't need to be otherwise very special. For a thickening agent - the cheapest and very strong material is basically wood dust - buy it though, don't try to make it The commercial microballoon type thickeners are great for filling fiberglass weave or other places where the epoxy/filler material is the final surface (not covered by FG) . A **HUGE** help is polyester or nylon Peel Ply or similar material. Basically it won't stick to the epoxy, so after you lay a bunch of overlapping FG cloth layers wet with epoxy you can lay this release material over it - smooth it down - and once it dries it's an incredible smooth surface requiring almost not sanding - with the added benefit that it doesn't need to be washed (epoxy leaves a thin waxy coat when dry - which the peel ply takes with it) before you epoxy or paint over it. Remember the least amount of epoxy that will wet each layer of cloth will give you the strongest adhesion - not the most! Floatation is easy with a 2 part expanding closed cell system. basically two cans of lliquid that when mixed expand (you have about 30seconds to mix) in the bulkhead or area that you need foam. Closed cell foam of many types can also be bought in sheets, etc and cut to fit the areas in your boat. It does all need to be closed cell though.
Check OKorder, lots available at good prices.
