Darned Ol Fir Plywood

[oldriverat]

I wouldn't have bought this junk had I known. Although you can't see it from this picture, if you look at the boat in a certain light or from a certain angle, you can see the imperfections in the wood even though it's glassed. It looks like a damn washboard.

I like the red and plan on putting a white water line on it but now am wondering if a different color might hide the flaws in the sides, i.e. lighter, white, darker etc?????????

I may just decide to make it go splash and live with it until it needs repainting also.

[Greg H]

Paint the waterline, do the mast and go sailing. You can't stand in the place where you can see the imperfections, when you are on the water.

Give it the 20' test, if it looks good from there, donworryaboudit.

Don't look too long or think too much

[NormMessinger]

Right. Don't sweat the little things.

Print through is a problem I've not solved, especially with fir ply. There are places on Prairie Islander where one can see the fine grain of the western redcedar, quarter sawn, through 6 oz cloth filled, faired and painted. Oh Well.

[oldriverat]

Yeah Norm. When I first started this project you said to be careful when sanding this which I did. I didn't sand at all before glassing.

[ahp]

Your only problem is the gloss on the paint is too high. Use semigloss or flat and the imperfections won't show nearly as much.

[Russell Sova]

It looks like your boat already passed the 20 ft. test 'cause it looks pretty good in the picture. You might find people asking if you built her if there are a few imperfections. How would you like to go through all the trouble only to have a boat that looks like fiberglass?

[High C]

Originally posted by ahp:
Your only problem is the gloss on the paint is too high. Use semigloss or flat and the imperfections won't show nearly as much.

Ditto this wise advice. Add a coat ot two of semi-gloss and you'll be much happier with her. If you're using oil based paint, you can get an additive that will cut the gloss of the paint you may already have. Ask your friendly neighborhood paint store pro.

PS: Do a little sanding with a 100 grit first to rough up the glossy paint.

[ 08-24-2003, 11:54 PM: Message edited by: High C ]

[paladin]

Mike...Jim Brown the trimaran designer, gave me hell for spending too much time on "appearances"...his attitude...finish it and go SAILING......

[oldriverat]

Thanks guys. I'll check into the additive. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Thomas Williamson]

Hi Mike,

What is that other boat hiding under the cover?

[oldriverat]

It's a Bolger Diablo I completed about three years ago. That's my baby.



[ 08-25-2003, 11:36 AM: Message edited by: Memphis Mike ]

[Mr. Know It All]

Before you go cussin ole Douglass Fir ply I want to point out that my Lyman's hull is 42 years old and the Douglass Fir ply has outlasted most of the Mahogany and White oak parts on the boat. Just an observation on my part but the old stuff is pretty rot resistant. Let me know how she sails.

[Nicholas Carey]

But US-made fir marine ply has changed considerably—and not for the better—over the last 40+ years.

[oldriverat]

Also Kevin, it could be that yours isn't showing any signs of rot because it isn't in the water?

[JimD]

These here words is gonna seem mighty harsh, but blamin' the wood ain't gonna get you far, pardner.

[imported_Snatchblock]

Originally posted by ahp:
Your only problem is the gloss on the paint is too high. Use semigloss or flat and the imperfections won't show nearly as much.

Yep- why do people think a boat has to be shiny? I prefer a semi or flat finish myself. Try it next time you paint her.