Anyone have fiberglass experience?

[Tamelesstgr]

Hey gang,

I've been researching how to make a fiberglass mold out of plug or boat hull for example. Then I would be able to lay up a fiberglass hull of my own. Has anyone done this (I assume Randy knows all, but I'm a little hesitant having never worked with these materials before)

What I think I need this far:

A hull that I want to replicate
Tap Plastics Gel Coat 1pt
Tap Plastics Gel Coat Pigment 1oz
Tap Plastics Mold Release Paste
Tap Plastics Part All Paste
Tap Plastics PVA Mold Release 8oz
Preval Spray Gun (Good For 16oz)
Tap Marine Grade Epoxy A Resin 1gal
Tap Marine Grade Hardener Slow 64oz
Tap Plastics Chopped Fiberglass 1lb
Surfacing Veil 35" x 36"
Standard Glass Mat 38" x 36"
E-Glass Modified Twill 38" x 36"

That's totaling about $225-$250 which I assume might get me the mold and maybe one hull from the mold.

My thoughts are to make replica fiberglass hull so that I can build stronger hulls than the Shockwave 26 and Barbwire XL I have now. Figuring I would like to incorporate flood chambers into longer and wider hulls as my son's get better at driving and we build more advanced setups.

Reference materials:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFdDg9kwKrM&index=14&list=FLklbXv-AFGHiTUF4VqYPZfg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ax2TcInwNg8&index=13&list=FLklbXv-AFGHiTUF4VqYPZfg

Thanks,
Ken

[grsboats]

Hi Ken

I've been working with all sort of molds in the last thirty years and yes your list looks good BUT if you don't have any experience with molds I would recommend you to play at first with small pieces to get experienced and figure out all the tricks working with these materials just to save your investment......it's not that difficult BUT AGAIN start making small pieces and as soon as you get confident go ahead with bigger projects.May I ask what kind of hull you inttend to duplicate as cats with their steps are harder to play than monohulls.here a link of one of my boats http://grsboats.com.br/novosite/?por...rx-fe-2...feel free to ask whatever you want and need.
Gill

[grsboats]

better link: http://grsboats.com.br/novosite/?por...igger-grx-fe-2

[Tamelesstgr]

Gill,

Thanks for replying. I'm most interested in recreating the Venom King of Shaves mono I had for sale recently. It's a little over 30", and it was sold on ebay. During shipping some damage occurred (which is fixable) but I thought it would be great to be able to replicate the hull for when my boys grow out of their smaller boats. I'd love to be able to add a flood chamber since Kyosho made the 888VE with one and its essentially the same hull. It is a stepped v-bottom. Won't really decide if I am going to attempt this till the Fall (my mono needs to get finished) was just doing my research and deciding on costs.

Thanks,
Ken

[Tamelesstgr]

I'd probably also square off the hatch to make taping easier, build in extra support for hatch screws etc.