FishyFish Tolman Alaskan Skiff and Boat Building Forums

So as it says how many coats on the exterior bottom and sides , I've read a few posts on the subject and methinks if I ask 10 people I'll get 10 answers . So here's my take on the subject , the sides are covered in 8oz , ply pre wetted and cloth filled /wet out not saturated leaving the weave still showing but no bare spots , lumps or bubbles .The bottom will be 12Oz Biax treated the same way , so as they are or will be completely covered in Epoxy and well bonded to the ply and are fully water proof I don't intend putting on another coat to fill the weave as all it will do is add weight and cost more in Epoxy . The plan is to use Jotun Paints High Build Primer this will fill out the weave and leave a smooth finish ready for top coat after a quick blast with  the R.O. sander then topcoat with Jotun Marine paint . Wotcha think guys , good plan , bad plan . I'm back off shore next Tuesday for Xmas    so won't be painting till after new year but I'm hoping to have it already to paint when I get home
     Eddie

Eddie, I put on 3 coats of epoxy after the glass so that the weave was invisible and completely filled.  Then I knocked the shine off and put 3 coats of system 3 primer.  Maybe overkill but as I recall it was per the manufacturer's recommendations.  If your high build primer is two-part epoxy then maybe you'll be OK with skipping the weave filling coats, but I agree with Dave Wright on this especially on the bottom of the hull.

Eddie, I put on 3 coats of epoxy after the glass so that the weave was invisible and completely filled.  Then I knocked the shine off and put 3 coats of system 3 primer.  Maybe overkill but as I recall it was per the manufacturer's recommendations.  If your high build primer is two-part epoxy then maybe you'll be OK with skipping the weave filling coats, but I agree with Dave Wright on this especially on the bottom of the hull.

Same here ...3 coats of epoxy, very light sanding between coats to remove little nits, mosquitoes and bugs, and a bit of the ridges in the epoxy (shape of the glass) ...but without getting into the glass.  2 coats of a high build primer is fine, but a 3rd coat might be called for if any weave or scratches are still visible.  Dave's boat has a very nice paint job....

If you want to minimize fairing, do your best job between the waterline and sheer, second best on outside of house and cuddy, and do an 'adequate' job on all other surfaces (basically just smooth out rough edges, sharp bits, etc).

Brian