I've used Raka for some small stuff, but not yet for my boat. Question: how fast do you stir or mix the epoxy? I make a trillion bubbles if I mix at a normal speed. To mix with fewer bubbles I have to move at snails pace. I typically use a stir stick and small plastic cup. Should I be concerned with the amount of bubbles before application?

Eric

: George,
: If you use the 3.25 oz. tightweave glass, try some sample layups first. There
: is a slight learning curve. I only needed ONE fill coat before sanding, on
: the outside, no fill on inside, except the cockpit area. This really
: reduces the epoxy needed.
: You may want to use two layers of this glass which should still be lighter
: than using plain weave. I tried using one layer on my latest boat, but
: this 20 footer is built with 5/32" hull strips and 1/8" deck
: strips. My single layer 3.25 oz. layup also included a lot of
: unidirectional Carbon Fiber reinforcement on a 20' X 20" kayak that
: only weighed 23# before installing a racing rudder and carbon fiber foot
: board/rudder control.I had only used 3/4 gal. of epoxy to this point.

: It seemed I was well on my way to achvieing a sub 30# rocket. However, when I
: lifted one end of the boat, I detected a slight flexing (bending) of the
: hull. If this boat was only going to be paddled on flat water or with a
: light weight paddler, it would not have been an issue. However, I decided
: to add a second layer to hull and deck outside. This second layer did the
: trick. Everything is now stronger and much stiffer, including the
: 1/8" deck.

: One possible light weight layup: 2 layers on the hull outside, one on the
: inside with extra layers inside cockpit area, one layer on deck with extra
: fore and aft of coaming on the inside. This assumes 3/16-1/4" strips.
: This layup should yield a very light boat. For a stronger and still light
: boat, 2 layers of 3.25 oz everywhere. BTW/ Raka also sells this glass.

: If you go with Raka epoxy, buy the 3 gal kit. It is the best $ value. 127
: Resin, 350 non blush hardner. As Bill mentioned, you should factor
: shipping into your epoxy cost. A more expensive local epoxy may not
: actually cost more in the long run. Also get yourself a cheap digital
: scale from Harbor Freight and weigh your epoxy, mixing ratio 100 to 44 by
: weight for Raka 127/350. You will be able to mix the smallest amount
: needed without waste.
: Some notes about Raka: The 350 hardener is trully non blushing. I have never
: seen air bubbles anywhere in my layups and I apply with a roller. Raka
: used to be the slowest curing epoxy you could get. I have found lately it
: cures much, much faster which I like. I can now wetout and fill in the
: same day. It's not as fast as Wests, but it's about perfect for my liking.

: Larry