What special problems does gel-coating, if any, create when scribing a gel-coated hull? Will the gel-coat easily chip - making scribing difficult and are there special techniques that might be used with gel-coat? Thank you.
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Gel-coat, when applied correctly before the GRP layup process, bonds very tightly to the underlying glass laminates. But, DeBoer hulls had a big problem a few decades ago with some product that evidenced an easily chipped gel-coat revealed during machining or scribing of a GRP surface; a problem later fixed. However, there are likely still hulls out there with this issue.
Otherwise a reasonably thick gel-coat is the ideal substrate into which one would engrave lines with a scratch-awl.
Who is John Galt? -
Ahhh…..that is a surprising answer and very good to know - Thank you David. Hope you enjoyed Georgia!Comment
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The 2026 Georgia event was the best so far: a very rich target environment, the weather was perfect, the Red Clay staff was their usual best, and Bob and his crew had the entire four-day SubFest running like a well oiled machine.
Jake and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire trip (though he did all the driving, the SOB would not let me sleep one lousy second on the road!!).
You should have made this one, Tim!Who is John Galt?Comment
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Yes I should have but next year I want fly down there with a tiny sub I can take in an airliner cabin. That long drive is just a bit too, too long LOLComment
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there should be an award for the longest road trip.Comment
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Wax, where about do you live?If you can cut, drill, saw, hit things and swear a lot, you're well on the way to building a working model sub.Comment
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