Step 11 Fairing the Hull, Filling the Weave & Draining the Boat

Michal Dwojak
Apr 6, 2017
2 min read

Well, screw ups fixed the hull completely sanded, so the next step is to fair the hull. So this is done with the use of .....you guessed it, the ever popular peanut butter goo. I'm using the glue mix as fairing compound so that it will be easier to sand. It's not quite as thick as the stuff I used for gluing but stiff enough to not run all over the place. It actually sticks to the sides of the boat quite well and does double duty to fill the weave too!

I concentrated on any seams in the fiberglass first. this means that where the fiberglass overlapped or there was an edge to contend with. It didn't take too long fill those voids and I think a light sanding and a layer or two more of the goo and the weave should be filled and after a bit of a sanding the exterior should be ready for paint.

Attached is a picture of the suction device I plan to use to drain the boat. My plan is to drain the boat through the floor at the back of the boat. Forward movement should create enough drag to help pull the water out of the boat. This will be made out of clear fir it'll be epoxied and covered in fiberglass inside and out to keep things water proof

On Saturday I hope to be able to complete the sanding and fairing and then next week cover the hull in coat or two of epoxy. Then it's on to flipping this boat over and finishing the interior!

The Update/Continuation .....

So Saturday came and went, but I did manage to sand down the hull and cover the entire exterior in a coat of epoxy. I did get some good solid advice from a member at Boat Design Forums and I've taken it to heart... for the most part.

I've decided that the entire boat should have the weave filled first and then worry about the fairing of the hull, as for the design of the drain I think I'll go forward even though it was suggested it may not be advantageous to do so. I guess I'll find out when I launch her!!!

Anyway below are a few pics of the first coating of epoxy on the hull. She'll need a light sanding and anther coat or two but I'm saying things are looking good.