: Hi Rehd,

: I built that little Glen-L Rob Roy as my first boat. Fun project and it still
: paddles. She loves moving water and is tough to paddle straight - but I
: think I gave her more rocker than the design intended. Anyways - I've done
: 'glas butt joints - but have always used 2 layers of 6oz cloth on both
: sides. I have had excellent results. It helps to glue the butt joint with
: thickened epoxy just before you glass. I read about it from a link on the
: Glen-L site by a guy who built a massive cabin cruiser. I can probably
: scrounge the link if you like. Also - if you plan to take her out in
: moving water where you might bang into anything - you should consider
: using at least 2 layers of the 3.25 oz. I like that 3.25 oz stuff - it
: takes very little epoxy to wet it out and goes on real light. I'm pretty
: sure two layers of the 3.25 oz comes out lighter than 1 layer of 6 oz.
: Since the Rob Roy was my first boat - built from 1/8" Luan and 6 oz
: glass from a local guy - I severely overbuilt with fiberglass and epoxy
: and it still came out under 45 lbs - with stouter than needed ash gunnels.
: Probably had 10 lbs of excess epoxy on that one. I'm sure you will do
: better.

: Enjoy.
: PC

Hi Paul

I'm not so sure I will get it lighter, and I'm not worried about it. I may paddle it, but it is being build for 4 little 5 to 9 year olds to play in, and ONLY on one of the small lakes here close by. I'm sure that going straight will be the least of their concerns until they get a little older and decide they like the idea and maybe want to build something themselves or with me. I picked up some scrap cloth from a friend and am in the process of redoing the joints a bit stronger. One of the problems, already pointed out to me was that I used the cloth in-line with the grain and therefore only had one set of threads crossing the joint which left it very weak. I will be doubling it up this time and cutting the cloth on the bias for the extra strength. More later....

Rehd