Since it was first over 40 years ago, this book has become a classic, relied upon by owners, surveyors and boat builders keen to understand how fibreglass behaves, and obtain practical guidance on working with GRP.
In a deliberately non-technical manner, Hugo du Plessis uses his vast experience to explain the peculiar nature of fibreglass, its durability, its weaknesses, where it is likey to fail, the effects of use and the weather, plus the latest research into causes of the biggest worry for owners - blistering and osmosis.
CONTENTS:
Section A. General Principles:
- Principles of fibreglass boatbuilding
- Materials
- Tools and working conditions
- Health and safety
Section B. Understanding how fibreglass can fail:
- Physical failure
- Destructive influences
- Fatigue
- Factors of safety
- Effects of heat
- Fire
Section C. Turning a bare moulding into a boat:
- Glassing-in
- Joins
- Stiffening
- Bulkheads
- Attaching fittings
- Sealants
- Hardspots and stress concentrations
- Double shell mouldings
- Sandwich or cored mouldings
- Wood and fibreglass
- Fibreglass and other materials
- Access
- Weathering
Section D. The gel coat - that shiny fibreglass look:
- Gel coat
- Nasty little lumps
- Can the gel coat be saved?
- Replacing a gel coat
Section E. In the beginning - moulding:
- Conditions for moulding
- Moulding
- Moulding faults
- Mouldless construction
- Thickness
- Mechanisation
- Inspection and quelity
Section F. Maintenance and use:
- Design for low maintenance
- Maintenance and cleaning
- Overloading
- Painting
Section G. Repair:
- Temporary repair
- Minor repair
- Major repair
- Every crack tells a story
- Testing
- Disposal
Index