First time glasser could use some help

[lugger]

Hi Folks, I'm a new one to the forum, & have to admit I'm a bit of a fraud. I am just about to embark on my first fiberglassing project & have been searching for info regarding a certain problem I expect to face, in the near future. The only reference I have found to my specific question on the net, is based here on this site. So in short I decided to be a bit cheeky & register in order to gain a little more information if possible.
Not knowing of the world of replica props, looking through your work amazes me. So I figure if anyone should be able to put me on the right track, I guess it would be you lot !.
Now the admission ----- My hobby is boats & I am in the process of building a 9 foot rc control yacht. It is my biggest project in terms of time, size & cost, & it has the added problem that I am using a new material as far as I am concerned, grp. All previous stuff has been timber or steel
The item I came across on the net was " how to fiberglass in tight places, by Nick Daring " & reading on it was suggested that an apple sauce mix is used & then a wet glass tape is used to bond the two halves together. when this is done apply filler to the outside after removing any rubbish.
My question to you is, do you think this process would be ok on a boat hull ?, given the fact that it is going into the water once completed, & is it possible to apply more gell coat to the outside once filled, & then buff & polish afterwards ?.
The reason I have to make my vessel in two halves is because of the tight void down the keel, that I am going to put a cast lead ballast weight in, afterwards.
Many thanks for any help on this subject.

P.S. Although I call myself a fraud, I am also working on a 5' 4" model of the Africa Queen, again a working model once completed, so I suppose thats an RP, although the skill level needed pails in comparison to you lot.

 

[Nwerke]

A good scale African Queen will need some pretty decent skills to pull together so don't sell yourself short, and we'd love to see pics of that.

I've used that approach on a creature body and it worked fine. It's messy, and you should be prepared for a lot of fiddlefarting about and sanding and cleanup afterwards. Can't see why it wouldn't work for a yacht!

Yes is the answer to your gel coat question.

 

[Eagle-1]

Ok, now I would like to add a question here too.

What gel coat do most use? Where do y'all get it and does it come in something 'home' size?

I would really like to find one that applies well and not have to buy a 55 gallon drum. I wouldn't need but a little at a time.

Is there anything like a 'ready to use' type of thing with gel coat?

Rob.

 

[IEDBOUNTYHUNTER]

Ive built boat patterns and have been doing glass work for 20 years, if you want you can PM me an i can help you with specifics.


Al

 

[lugger]

Thanks for your replies, will be glad to include photo's of AQ when I get to a worthwhile point with it, but that may be some time yet, the first part of the build being the steam plant & boiler. It will only be a likeness of the vessel taken from pictures etc, as info on it is hard to find, or seems to be in these parts. I have to make the plant & boiler first & then fit the boat around it, if you know what I mean :confused

Good to have a vote of confidence on joining two halves, & good to know gel can be applied after the fact. Just laid my first plank on the frame this morning, so lots more to do yet before we get to the nitty gritty.