I think west systems is a little over rated MAS Systems and System three are better and less prone to "cooking off" The best thing about west systems is their plunger/measurer, but after sanding off the bottom of a partially cured 24 foot boat - I physically measure everything now.

These guys are local to me and thier pricing is good - their laminating epoxy is the best I have used.

http://fgci.com/

this is a decent book.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN%3D007048578X/northwestmarinedA/

Before
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1164515841.jpg

After
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1164515890.jpg

Never had a problem with West System. Iv'e been through probably close to a hundred or so gallons of it on various projects.

FGCI is a great company very good prices.

The only time I've ever had West fail was gluing together pieces I had soaked out with 50/50 borates/antifreeze. Probably all epoxies. But a 25/75 ratio doesn't seem to cause failure. Wish I'd known when I was young this stuff kills fungal rot.

Boatbuilding.Net

which is part of

Jamestown Distributors

JD sells composites, fasteners, epoxies, paints etc...

probably more due to our 98 degrees and 96% humidity. Never had a problem with west systems in the winter - but in the summer - forgetaboutit

Just keep it cool in the summer. I use buckets and crushed ice. So, any of you other guys use antifreeze, borate salts and boric acid to kill rot in situ?

Re: Re: Re: Boat building question
 

A friend of mine built one of these 3 years ago, to use as a tender for his sailboat. Used that very same book. It was his first boatbuilding project and he found it very straighforward and pleasurable. Biggest hassle was finding decent 4' x 16' marine plywood.

His turned out beautifully. While not the most elegant sailboat tender, it's very, very stable and can take an large load without getting tippy.

I have built aircraft from wood using West System epoxy and a couple rowboats for the pond. I eventually will build a small Chris Craft looking runabout to be powered with a JetSki engine.

Here is a link to a decent looking boat designed for river running. The web site that sells the plans has a great forum for those needing assistance with wood boat building. http://boatdesigns.com/products.asp?dept=471

Glen-L is a great site with tons of proven designs. I am thinking of building the "Riviera" barrelback runabout myself.

Glen-L Boats

I'd be careful of the Glen-L designs. Many, if not most, have never been built and the company is more of a marketing business than a true boat enthusiast business. They've been around for a long time, and I've had their catalogs in the past, and just didn't get the good feeling that I got when looking at boats designed by master craftsmen. Harold Payson is one of those craftmen.

What do you think about their "barrelback plans"? I haven't been able to find many resources for such boats, and I really would like to put one together in the near future.

Wayne

While tis true they have been around a long time, many of their boats HAVE been succesfully built. Some are ancient designs, some are simple construction, some are complex.......

If you delve into their website, you will find many photos of many happy customer built boats. Sure there are some rarely built turds, but there are many nice proven designs also. I would also like to build the Riviera, but it is a huge undertaking and I have decided that while I may build a mini version (squirt or flying saucer), if I ever take on a full size mahogany runabout, it will be a RESTORATION of a pre-war runabout so when I am finished, it will be worth something.