Re: CLC... epoxy versus

Posted by CLC on Mar 31, 2006

>>>>>> Ive been told it severly ages the epoxy and on another angle, epoxy boats should never be stored in water


:>>>>

You were misinformed. Boats built with polyester resin are usually retrofitted with epoxy coatings on the bottoms after 10-20 years, to cure the "blistering" that occurs as a result of the polyester resin being water soluble.

"Blisters" in polyester resin hulls are the bane of boaters the world over. There are vast stores of information about marine coatings online and in print, much of it written by mariners who have just spent days attached to a sander turning said coatings into dust.

>>>>>>>> BUT - all the yachts everywhere are polyester resin for the most part. Not MAS epoxy. Please correct me if Im wrong.


:>>>>>>>

Epoxy is SO expensive that given the quantities needed to mold a boat out of solid resin and fiber it really is impractical. Plus, epoxy is tricky to work with...as we all know!

High-end racing yachts and some luxury yachts use epoxy in the layup instead of resin. (They usually make a point of advertising this fact.) You pay for it.

"Vinylester" resin is used more and more often and it falls roughly between polyester and epoxy in expense (and strength).

>>>>>>>>So which is better for withstanding the elements?


:>>>>>>.

All of these resins---polyester, vinylester, epoxy---break down in sunlight. Protected with some sort of coating, like varnish, paint, or gelcoat, they will last a very long time.

>>>>>>>should I build a daysailing monohull.

Of course you should! Silly question.

In Response to: CLC... epoxy versus by Petewp on Mar 31, 2006

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