Bora care before penetrating epoxy?

[jonesmatt1957]

Newbie here. Due to cold weather, I have only the strongback and 2 frames made and spend a lot of time thinking about my boat building project.
I am planning on a 3 layer cold molding for a Haven 12 1/2. At this point I am using cyprus for the hull. Marine plywood is a 3 hour trip and I need to buy a bunk before
they will order any. This is a pay as you go project. I would like to know if it is a waste of material and time to treat the cypress with boracare, let dry, then use a
penetrating epoxy after each layer? Thank you.

[Todd Bradshaw]

In my opinion it certainly is. The best thing to seal wood with is 100% solids epoxy resin. Anything else is more likely to cause problems than "cure" or improve anything. There have been thousands of boats built without doing either of the things that you suggest (Boracure or "penetrating" epoxy snake oil). Why risk it when the research has already been done and the techniques proven?

[wizbang 13]

Cypress has good rot resistance anyway
not like you are trying to get mileage out of junky wood or ply that went moldy

[upchurchmr]

Listen to Wiz, and Todd.

Additionally you really don't want to epoxy glue between the layers.
Think about the process required and the waste in epoxy when you have to take more time for a strip which has a minor fit issue.
Normal wood glue has proven its worth in thousands of boats, when covered with glass and epoxy.

What

[jonesmatt1957]

Thanks. Thats what I thought.

[jonesmatt1957]

Titebond 3?

[Todd Bradshaw]

Only if you're bound and determined to screw up the project. Proper techniques for cold molding are well established and tested over decades. Learn them and stick with them.

[ahp]

What is Bora Care? From the name I would guess that it is a solution that contains a boron compound. Boron compounds are toxic to mold, rot, insects, and spiders. A solution of 20 Mule Team Borax might be effective too, and cheaper, if you feel the need.

[Dan McCosh]

Bora Care is a mixture of boric salts and glycol. Its main use is in treating heavy timbers as an insect/rot repellent. It has the capability of penetrating larger sections pretty deeply, but it leaches in water. I don't think it has any use in cold moulding laminates. It's good for log cabins.

[jonesmatt1957]

Got it. I have been thinking too much. I need to reread the Gougeon brothers.

[willin woodworks]

As Bruce pointed out, cypress has great rot resistance. As long as you have continuous glue bonds between layers you should be just fine.