Plywood skiff hull

[smithy]

I need some advice on the below water sections of a plywood skiff which lives in brackish water full time. The area has been taken back to bare wood and thoroughly dried out. It is showing some slight surface degradation. The above water sections are in excellent condition. I'm wondering about the best treatment. I'm thinking of epoxy first, I then have some teamac underwater primer I was thinking of using before the antifoul. Any thoughts?

 

[DownWest]

Local friend had the same problem with an old Heron dinghy. Fiberglass cloth set in epoxy was the cure. Stiffened it up too. But it has to completely dry before the coating is applied.

 

[smithy]

The plywood is 9mm thick and good structural condition it was just the surface that had started to degrade slightly. I don't think I really need to go strengthening it with cloth. I am looking for info on the number of coats I should applying their timings, when the primer should be applied etc.

 

[DownWest]

Ah, his was thin, 4 or 5mm.
But, if you use the light cloth, under 200gms, then it more a protective finish, than structural. The Gougeon Bros book is free on-line for all techniques with epoxy.

 

[smithy]

Thanks will take a look.

 

[DownWest]

The cloth is not expensive, but obviously requires a little more epoxy than just coating. It is a very good anti abrasion finish. If you go with only epoxy, depending on the make, I would just give it two coats, rolled on. Wait 'till the first is tacky, then apply the second.

One last bit. I used a water based epoxy on my ply double-ender for coating. Made by Resoltech in France, but sold in UK. Re. 1010. it mixes 1:1 resin and hardener with another measure of water for the first coat. Goes on milky, then clears. I put three coats on the hull and it is still OK some years later. Leaves a smooth, clear, varnish like finish that requires little sanding. If painting over, then two coats is OK.