Boat Forum / Building / November 2004

I have a 43' endeavour with old leaky aluminum tanks that I need to replace.
Is it possible to build a fuel tank (diesel) that will not deteroiate from
the fuel.  Also water...is there a problem with fiberglass water tanks?
Thanks in advance

I just "happened" to buy all of the tools and equipment of a boatbuilding
shop (And yes, I'm bragging about it whenever I can) :D
One of the gems that was found in the pile was an old marine head "A.B.
Sands&Sons Co. New York".

As I am considering building an F32 trailerable tri (yes, I know, it
will take a long time), I have been considering the wide design F32AX
version which is 9'8" wide.  This is 1'2" more than the normal 8'6"
legal width.  Now, both Kurt Hughes and Farrier both say permitting is

I am new to larger boat repairs...but learning fast that big old wood boats
need lots of attention.  We own a Wheeler 83 footer from WWII.  We have to
rework many deck areas due to soft spots and will be doing the cabin top
also.

You know, the 7 seas are full of creatures like giant jelly fishes,
monster sharks and mutated fishes.
So how to build a boat that cannot be eaten by such monsters?

This got lost in the sea clutter of someone changing the title of my
original post, and wasn't responded to.  Having just returned from yet
another trip to work on the boat, and getting to the point of installation
on the new gear, this is pertinent anew:

Has anyone seen this problem before. This fall, I attempted to repair
leaking deck though-holes. My Cal 28 uses U shaped bolts for the anchors to
the mast stays (instead of chainplates).
The deck through-holes were 3/8 inch diameter, so I drilled thru the deck

This is a continuation of a previous thread. I have a couple more
questions.
After I drop the keel I plan on grinding out any cracks and or
delamination. Then laying down more glass and epoxy. I have some

Quick question. What is a safe paint stripper for fiberglass? I need to
remove 30 years of bottom paint and sanding it off is not an option.
Thanx.

 I need to do some fiberglass hull repairs including a crack thru the hull.
Whats the best authority, book, web site etc to learn from.
Also repairing dings in gelcoat.
Gordon

I have a 2003 Larson Cabrio 254 Cabin Crusier w/73 hours on the 5.7 Volvo Penta
I/O.
Have recently discovered water in the engine oil. The dealer's mechanic is
telling me this is "Normal" and may occur if the boat ingests water while coming

glass fibre absorbs water which reacts with some chemicals that can result
in blisters, timber swells with water absorbtion .. can rot... be attacked
by worms, steel rusts and aluminium can corrode quickly, ferro cement ...
porous..corrosion prone....

Winter project: planning on building  tackle station with slide in Plano
trays and a couple of drawers that will fit inside my center console. About
30" wide 9" deep 18" high.
Anybody ever use Starboard? Seems kind of heavy. Would 1/2" be ok.?

Hi all
I have been planning to build a steel kit boat (something along the
lines of a Bruce Roberts Spray 40) but I need the space! Where do you
look?

My experience with fiberglass is only in basic boat repair.  I am a
student of architecture, and I am looking to experiment with the
material's translucent properties for my thesis project.  I would like
to make sheets of fiberglass.  So I have 2 questions.  Firstly, onto