fiberglass cloth weight

[DaveAllyn]

what are the general guidlines for the weight of fiberglass cloth? I understand the idae behind it, but am unsure what weight I would need for my canoe, and, more importantly, how to make that decision in the future.

Thanks,

dave

[jem]

The general standard for canoe and kayak building is 6 ounce cloth. In other words, using it to stiffen the hull panels. Best results are when the cloth is applied to both sides of the plywood.

Now if you're looking to add something just for abbrasion resistence, then 4-ounce is fine.

For hard use boats (frequent high-impact meetings with rocks), then you get into needing 9-ounce.

A lot depends on the particular design.