Fiberglass Resin Questions

My favorite forum folks,

I think I have run into a dilemma. I took my Barracuda to a marina to have repairs done. The stringers were bad enough they needed to be replaced. The marina took the boat to a local fiberglass shop that apparently did not have much experience with boats. I saw a number of things I did not like and decided to remove the floor the shop put on. To my disappointment, I found a very poor restoration. There are a vast number of items that I will need to redo but my biggest question for the group is resin.

The shop used polyester resin. I have read on line and had discussions with fiberglass and resin suppliers that indicate to me that the polyester resin is not a good combination on a boat and with water. Can someone give me some feedback on the resin? If the polyester is bad, can I scuff it and put epoxy over and encapsulate the polyester?

They also used regular pine 2x's for stringers. Should they be treated and/or what type of wood should be used?

They also installed the stringers with a very light glass and did not use a weaved cloth (not sure if this is an issue). It seems' they wanted to complete the project as cheap as possible. (was not cheap for me).

I am quite capable of working with the stringers and glass, just need a couple of these questions answered.

This could turn out to be one of my most expensive schools of hard knocks. I have put a lot of time and money into this boat and don't want to leave the most important part in a poor state of repair.

In this picture you can see how the vent tube was cut off and blocked by foam, the steering cable and wire tube was cut open in numerous places that would have allowed water everywhere it should not have been. The tow bar was reinstalled crooked. The foam was not full to support the 1/4" plywood floor. etc. etc.

Darren,
Yes you can go over the top with epoxy but my concern is the grey top coat the shop put on. If it's pigmented resin then it's not a big problem but if it's a paint of some kind then it must be removed before the epoxy. Not easy!! It really looks like paint from the pictures. I hate to tell you this but if it is paint, I feel you better start over!! You'll never get it off completely and get a good bond over the top with the epoxy.

All that foam obviously has got to come out. With the foam out, I feel you'll find some more surprises! Looks like they used "Great Stuff" !!!

No on the treated wood. The chemicals in it don't like the glass resin whether poly, epoxy or vinylester. The plain "Pine" or Doug Fir for the main stringers is the standard as long as it's glassed in - of course looking at the job done, it becomes a problem!!!

Are the screws in the picture what they used to fasten the floor? Black oxide dry wall?? I can honestly say that I have never see such a hacked up job even by "do-it-yourself's".

70barracuda wrote: The marina took the boat to a local fiberglass shop that apparently did not have much experience with boats.

What kind of glass work did this shop do if not with boats???!!! Fiberglass no matter what the project is pretty much the same. Was it the same shop that re gelled the boat? (is it gel or paint?)

Daren,

Sorry to see that. I bet they weren't counting on your pulling the floor up.

I am sick for you man. Like Pete, I have never seen such poor work.

looks more like before repair pics

8122pbrainard wrote: Looks like they used "Great Stuff" !!!

8122pbrainard wrote: Are the screws in the picture what they used to fasten the floor? Black oxide dry wall??

Hahaha, Pete. Your reactions crack me up. Not because they're out of line, but because I thought the exact same thing, especially about the "Great Stuff"

I agree that they definitely didn't expect you to open up the floor. While the work they did would probably work fine for 3+ years, it definitely doesn't fall under "quality work". Some people have no integrity. Good luck sorting it out.

Good news. The shop stepped up to the plate and refunded $2000 of the $2800 originally paid (without a battle). It will at least help cover materials to repair the repairs. It was a third party shop that my Marina used. I was told the owner felt bad about the job. He had one of his employees do the project and apparently didn't inspect the final product before the work was covered by the floor. Unfortunatly your business is only as good as your worst employee. Movin on.......

70barracuda wrote: Good news. The shop stepped up to the plate and refunded $2000 of the $2800 originally paid (without a battle).

This is good news. I wonder if he saw this thread????

Daren - Are you going to rework it yourself?

I replaced a floor in a 16' bowrider, and used polyester resin for glassing in the stringers and floor, and it worked fine. It is less flexible than epoxy, but as far as I know is fine for a floor.

Thanks Pete. You all have been great.

8122pbrainard wrote: Daren, stick with the epoxy resin. It's stronger, has a better bond but it's big plus is it is not hydroscopic like polyester is.

Pete, you forgot to mention the reduced VOCs alone make it worth the extra money. The polyester is terrible to breath, esp. in a confined space like inside a hull.

eric lavine wrote: i walk into my lunch place up the street and thre waitress always has to smell my clothes because she loves the smell

Eric my man, I got a mental picture and really had to ROFLOL about that one !!!