JEM Watercraft

Hi all, Hope to start building soon, but first get as much infor as i can. Some builders say its better to coat the ply with epoxy before cutting out, others say cut out then epoxy, and yet others say build the boat first then epoxy. Just wondering what do the members think. I think maybe cutout then coat with epoxy as it will be hard on the tools to cut after it is epoxied.

OK just some thoughts
Ray

Ray,

Yes, do not epoxy before you cut. Wastes epoxy and makes your job more difficult. Don't know what they were thinking to say, epoxy first?

Lay out our pieces on the large sheets of plywood. Measure (several times), mark, cut, assemble, THEN epoxy.

If you're building one of Matt's boats, follow his directions. He'll not lead you astray.

I would wait until the hull is assembled before coating the plywood. Epoxy has a limited elongation and therefore you might end up having micro cracks in your coated surface if you coat before the curved panels are in place. I am not saying that it will happen, since it depends on the curvature of the panels, but why take the risk.