What Glass and Resin???

**89Mach1** · 04-12-2009 07:28 PM

I am making a swim platform for my boat, out of 3/4" Plywood, and not sure what and how much glass and resin to buy. From what I can come up with I THINK I need 1.5oz. glass, 2 layers? The platform is 90" X 18" X 1 1/2".

It's going to be painted and have non-skid rolled on the top. I think I need to prime, roll the non-skid and then paint (please correct me if I am wrong). I am by no means a painter or fiberglass guy, but I do learn quick. Any help would be great, maybe with some links and part numbers for supplies would be excellent! I have a local paint shop that I can get a good deal on this stuff, but I would like to see if I can get it cheaper online somewhere.

Also, what are the steps of doing the glass and resin? Do I do a coat of resin on the ply first and let dry? Or do I coat it, lay the glass and coat again then let dry? Thanks in advance everyone!

Jay

**glassdave** · 04-12-2009 09:36 PM

you can definetly get it cheaper online. I get a lot of stuff from uscomposites.com and they have pretty much the best prices around. Before we get into a shopping list have you considered a foam core? You wont end up with a very strong piece with a plywood core. Also what shape are you going for? Flat? With a lip?

**89Mach1** · 04-12-2009 10:25 PM

Originally Posted by glassdave

you can definetly get it cheaper online. I get a lot of stuff from uscomposites.com and they have pretty much the best prices around. Before we get into a shopping list have you considered a foam core? You wont end up with a very strong piece with a plywood core. Also what shape are you going for? Flat? With a lip?

Well, this is what I have... It's 1 1/2" thick and basically flat. It's pretty much just like an aluminum swim platform, but I didn't want to go that route because they tend to hurt your feet. I wanted a solid top but the look of the aluminum ones. It bolts through the transom, 5 bolts, along the whole back of it. There is very little flex at all right now with 250lbs standing on it. I know an aluminum one weighs about 60-70 lbs and wanted to stay around that weight, and so far without any glass it weighs about 43 lbs.

What do you think?

**Offshore Ginger** · 04-13-2009 09:06 AM

89 MACH 1 , have you consider using epoxy and is your plywood marine grade ?

**glassdave** · 04-13-2009 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by 89Mach1

Well, this is what I have... It's 1 1/2" thick and basically flat. It's pretty much just like an aluminum swim platform, but I didn't want to go that route because they tend to hurt your feet. I wanted a solid top but the look of the aluminum ones. It bolts through the transom, 5 bolts, along the whole back of it. There is very little flex at all right now with 250lbs standing on it. I know an aluminum one weighs about 60-70 lbs and wanted to stay around that weight, and so far without any glass it weighs about 43 lbs.

What do you think?

so its a piece thats already made and you like to get it covered? Should be no prob, it will just require several lamination's like a transom. You can get a decent finish that might be a good non skid by using a sheet of peel ply in the final layer.

**89Mach1** · 04-13-2009 07:57 PM

Originally Posted by glassdave

so its a piece thats already made and you like to get it covered? Should be no prob, it will just require several lamination's like a transom. You can get a decent finish that might be a good non skid by using a sheet of peel ply in the final layer.

Yes, a piece that I would like to cover. What steps and material would I use to do this? I would like to stay away from epoxy just because of the cost being so high.

**glassdave** · 04-14-2009 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by 89Mach1

Yes, a piece that I would like to cover. What steps and material would I use to do this? I would like to stay away from epoxy just because of the cost being so high.

If you havnt bonded the two sheets of plywood together yet i would but a layer of 1.5 oz. mat in between them. That will go along way to stiffening and adding to the longevity of it. For the most part, as said above, a couple layers of 1708 on each sice and your good to go. I would bevel the edges with about a half inch radius on the top and bottom than laminate each side so it overlaps on the edge. Polyester is be fine to keep the cost down plus you can finish in gel coat.

**Trim'd Up** · 04-14-2009 09:26 AM

Seems to me that epoxy would be over kill for a platform like that. 1 1/2" of plywood should give it considerable strength on its own. I wouldn't think you would need all that much glass on it either. I can't imagine it flexing much even with just one layer of 1708 on each side. I built something similar with 1 1/2" foam (just the pink chit from home depot actually) and 2 layers of 1708 on each side for a buddies boat and it was solid as a rock.

**89Mach1** · 04-14-2009 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by Trim'd Up

Seems to me that epoxy would be over kill for a platform like that. 1 1/2" of plywood should give it considerable strength on its own. I wouldn't think you would need all that much glass on it either. I can't imagine it flexing much even with just one layer of 1708 on each side. I built something similar with 1 1/2" foam (just the pink chit from home depot actually) and 2 layers of 1708 on each side for a buddies boat and it was solid as a rock.

Yeah, I didn't think I would need epoxy for it. As for flex, there really isn't much the way it sits right now, just plywood. I thought about using the foam but didn't think it would hold the weight of 2 or 3 people at once and didn't want to chance it.

**89Mach1** · 06-11-2009 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by Trim'd Up

Seems to me that epoxy would be over kill for a platform like that. 1 1/2" of plywood should give it considerable strength on its own. I wouldn't think you would need all that much glass on it either. I can't imagine it flexing much even with just one layer of 1708 on each side. I built something similar with 1 1/2" foam (just the pink chit from home depot actually) and 2 layers of 1708 on each side for a buddies boat and it was solid as a rock.

Do you think that it would be strong enough for a new hatch? The guy that had the boat before me went a bit crazy back there... 2 layers of 3/4" pressure treated!! It weighs a TON! I'd like to make a new one over the winter and lose a little weight back there. Thanks!

Jay

**Trim'd Up** · 06-12-2009 08:02 AM

Originally Posted by 89Mach1

Do you think that it would be strong enough for a new hatch? The guy that had the boat before me went a bit crazy back there... 2 layers of 3/4" pressure treated!! It weighs a TON! I'd like to make a new one over the winter and lose a little weight back there. Thanks!

Jay

Yeah, but if not if you put a couple of braces under it it definately would be. I am hopefully finishing mine this weekend and it is made from 3/4" divyncell. I still plan on glassing in a couple of cross members but it weighs maybe 20-25 lbs. I can pick it up with one hand and the old one needed 2 men and a boy to pick it up.

**89Mach1** · 06-12-2009 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Trim'd Up

Yeah, but if not if you put a couple of braces under it it definately would be. I am hopefully finishing mine this weekend and it is made from 3/4" divyncell. I still plan on glassing in a couple of cross members but it weighs maybe 20-25 lbs. I can pick it up with one hand and the old one needed 2 men and a boy to pick it up.

Awesome! I'll have to give it a shot then. Maybe this fall after I winterize I'll take the old hatch off and see what I can come up with. Thanks!

**89Mach1** · 04-16-2009 05:58 PM

Ok, well I now have all the glass done and waiting for it to set up. Let me tell you... I NEVER want to do that crap again! I give you guys that do this stuff for a living a lot of credit. What a P.I.T.A. that was. Again though, thanks for your help!!!

I'll post some pics after I get t sanded and ready for paint.

**glassdave** · 04-16-2009 06:45 PM

Originally Posted by 89Mach1

Ok, well I now have all the glass done and waiting for it to set up. Let me tell you... I NEVER want to do that crap again! I give you guys that do this stuff for a living a lot of credit. What a P.I.T.A. that was. Again though, thanks for your help!!!

I'll post some pics after I get t sanded and ready for paint.

Wait till you start finishing it off. Thats when it gets fun or at least as fun as what ya did so far

yea definetly post pics

**Offshore Ginger** · 04-16-2009 07:30 PM

Dave just got my tower back froim the DOC and im still waiting for my Templet , whats up & ARE YOU TO FAMOUS TO GET BACK WITH ME and even after i leave you voice mail !!!

and please to not tell me you have been to BUSY

**89Mach1** · 06-11-2009 10:24 PM

Ok, so it seems like it's been FOREVER!!!! I hate reading through pages upon pages of threads and you get to the end and NOTHING! No outcome, no explanation, zip! So, I WILL finish this thread.

The platform is DONE! It was suppose to go on today, but has been raining since this afternoon. Hopefully tomorrow will be better, 40% chance of rain though. Anyways.... It came out better than I expected. The top was sprayed with a non-skid additive to the paint that picked up at a local West Marine. This stuff is AMAZING! 2 coats on top of a couple coats of regular paint, it feels and looks like it came out of a mold!

All in all, I'm very impressed! I would recommend this stuff to anyone looking to do the same. I don't have any pics just yet, but I will tomorrow.

Dave- thanks for the help!!!

Jay