> I am trying unsucessfully for the second time to make a hatch lip out of
> fiberglass for my exped. I am using pva but i can only get one quarter or
> so of the lip to release the other half has to be forced and ends up
> deforming. Should I wait until the epoxy is harder? It has been 7 hours
> since I applyed it east system slow hardner. The epoxy got into the space
> between the hatch and the deck. and I thought if i waited any longer i
> would have a solid deck again? Any suggestions? Any thing better than PVA?
> I used two coats. HELPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!

By now you've already done it but you need a spacer to take into acct the thickness of the gasket. A spacer will allow the hatch not to be used as the mold, therebye lessening yer problem. Or if the hatch is cut vertically and can be offset downwards you could use it - but prob not. So hot glue some strips across the hatch to the deck, rub wax candle in the recess, lay on clay or plasticene for a gasket thickness on the hatch, saran wrap and lay up. This assumes deck not attached. If attached, say white glue 1/2 in of foam around the edge (flush), lay up from i/s, let set and hack the foam. Use silicone sealant on the hatch lid, saran the flange, push on the hatch flush and let set up.

I haven't done this but I gotta think that polyurethane will glue better to the lid (silicone is mechanical, I think), saran wrap the flange. You want the gasket on the lid not the yak.

-mick