Stitch and glue boats have seams. Seams that aren’t sealed leak. Leaking boats sink! This is why it is vital to create structurally sound, as well as attractive seals along every seam in your boat. These seals are referred to as fillets.
When it’s time to bond the inside corners of your boat, a fillet is generally the way to go. Many newbie boat builders suffer through this process due to lack of proper instruction. This process can require the use of a special tool and a lot of patience. However, you can also make perfect fillets the easy way using ordinary, disposable plastic spoons, wooden tongue depressors, plastic zip-lock bags and masking tape. Let’s walk through each step individually so you can grasp what needs to happen and when.
Mixing Epoxy
Several elements will contribute to the dry time of your epoxy. If you’re working outside, humidity, temperature and wind can cause your mixture to gel quicker or more slowly than you expect. When you start, it is recommended that you only mix enough epoxy for the first fillet. This will allow you to observe how the epoxy will react and to avoid waste.
You want to mix...