HOW TO FIBERGLASS TABBING for Boat Stringers Transom & other Marine Fiberglass Renovation Projects

Please follow along daily on my Instagram. I post regular stories and updates of all the projects I am working on.

The method in this video is MY method and it's not the only way this can be done. If you talk to 10 different boatbuilders, they will all have their own way of doing things including the materials and tools they like to use.

If you have a comment about this method or have a suggestion, I would love to have you leave a comment. Please be constructive! Arrogance and bad attitudes I don't have time for.

In this video, I run down how I go about tabbing in stingers, bulkheads, transoms, or any other component of a boat restoration project. I talk about what types of resin I use, the types of glass, how to prep the surface, special tools, and how to get a bubble-free laminate.

This method can and will vary from project to project. If you are unsure about materials you should use, always consult with an experienced composites professional.

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[TheSpadre]

I use epoxy for all below deck work, and switch to polyester for the horizontal surfaces above.(deck and gunwale) to make it compatible with gelcoat wear surface. Vertical exposed surfaces, I switch back to epoxy as I paint these surfaces with 2-part urethane paint. I get my epoxy for free, but for below decks, I'd still spend the extra.

[oxman]

Awesome I like how you said everyone does fiberglass different!

[nikkojones]

Excellent tutorial !!
Great technique, the narration covered all the key points in executing a quality repair.
Keep up the great work & congrats on your channel.

[christopherdougherty]

Plastic spreader in place of resin roller is my go to

[michaelh]

This is tedious work, but very rewarding as well. It's also messy you itch at night lol.

I did this same work on an old 14ft Terry bass boat. It only has a 40hp motor. But for the transom, I put in two 3/4 pieces of marine plywood that I glassed in fairly thick and glassed in two support brackets because I had extra wood, materials and time LOL. My friend says that is way overkill!!! I said at least I know the motor will never crack the transom 😆🤣

[rs]

Good video, I also radius the turn, I just use a popsicle stick. Then I prefer to lay a minimum of at least 3 layers of glass on any tab of structural use. More depending on the height or length from the turn. Cut and lay pieces starting with smallest first and expanding with each layer. I always use EPOXY below decking or the waterline.

[freestatefishing]

Great video, Clearly know what you are doing. 100% correct that no boat repair shops use epoxy because it does take so long to cure they wouldn't be able to get any work done. I use epoxy on my project because I usually work on my boat 1-2 days a week and I like being able to keep everything wet the whole day while I work. I also lay up inside sometimes due to weather and the smell isn't bad like Poly. Have used poly many times for one off parts and have never experienced anything being "weaker" or with a "poor bond". Keep up the great videos!

[larrydorsz]

Thanks for the info. I need to try this myself. 👍

[tedolmsted]

The mighty Paramount! Great videos. Keep up the good work!

[remkojerphanion]

I'm new to this channel, and I enjoyed this tutorial, thanks! Indeed, preparation is everything. I build RC boats, but the basic process of lamination is the same as on full size boats. I prefer epoxy resin as it gives me all the time in the world to work wet-in-wet. Obviously, the extra cost of epoxy resin is negligible as I only use small amounts. Adding a radius to a tight corner sure is a good idea - I learned that the hard way. I either make a radius using thick epoxy glue, or for longer sections, I might choose a wood profile or a piece of insulation foam cut to the desired shape.

[stewym]

i used to use disposable baking piping bags for my coving, it makes it so much quicker to get your filler into the corner and wipe a radiused spatula or spoon across it

[KnottsFishing]

Great job, hoping the boat I have on my channel comes out as well as yours is! Great work!

[ego.sum.radius]

Agree polyester resin is good enough on older boats built on the same resin. But nowadays I only working small scale with my own boat or smaller jobs for others. Don't have to think about resin cost anymore😊 Epoxy sticks to everything, no matter what resin is below.

[Jkur]

Bro, you need to wet out the dry surface you’ll be applying the cloth to first. There’s also no need to wet out your cloth till it’s transparent. Wet out the stringer surface, then wet out cloth on your wet-out board just wet enough so that the surface of the cloth is wet, then transfer it to the stringer and roll it out until it’s transparent. The pre-wet stringer surface will finish saturating the back of the cloth for you. The pre-wet stringer surface also makes it easier to put in place without having to fight with like you were doing.

[bullhippo]

It is nice to see some one with some skills and understanding of fiberglass. As far as vinyl ester, below the water line is a good place for it, other than that ? Glad to see you are using large tabs. I use epoxy exclusive for everything, but the poly does have its appeal to me, cost and time. I normally don't completely Wet out large pieces and try to apply them, they get too hard to handle and stretch out of shape. I like mini rollers with a medium nap, Wet the back slightly, then apply to to the surface and roll over it. It puts enough down to totally Wet out by the time I add the next layer. I don't even Wet the back of the succeeding layers, just the top. For me it works out great. I work the cloth with the fin roller the add peel ply and roll it out. Looks great in a few days when I pull it. I am thinking a lot about poly, it seems a lot faster with premixed putties and structural putties. Something to consider... I am tired of Cabosil ! Keep up the good work!

[ecmo]

Russ would there be any difference using lacquer thinner verses acetone to wipe down the surface? Thank you. Great video. I'm getting ready to do this on my boat in a few weeks.

[geoffstein]

Great video and so extremely well explained. I believe I may have some rot in my stringers, any tips for how I could check without destroying my boat or floor? Thanks

[lodwill]

It’s just stringers. Use cheap resin. Mabey a rod across three spots for side to side strength. Where it meets up with transom then good resin. 😮 I Sean something else that strengthens transom. I forgot.?? 😮

[jk]

Like that brush roller. I haven't had luck using a fin roller on poly resin like I do with epoxy. It just wants to dig in...?

[frankmelero]

Hi, did you circle router the top edge of the new Stringers?
Do you glass ober the top edge of the stringer?