BoatworksTodayvideo
Behind the Scenes: Making Fiberglass Panels for the Annapolis Boat Show
September 7, 2025 · 19 min · 9K views
What this video covers
To prepare for a two-day fiberglass training seminar at the Annapolis Boat Show, Andy of BoatworksToday fabricates 24 individual 12-by-16-inch fiberglass practice panels.▶ 1:54 He constructs a large 4-by-8-foot mold surface using a melamine-faced board over OSB, sealing the edges with tape to prevent resin bonding.▶ 2:30 To ensure clean release, he applies a base layer of waxed gel coat followed by a coat of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).▶ 3:26 He uses 1808 biaxial fiberglass with a chop-strand backer and laminating polyester resin, applying three layers to achieve a final thickness of approximately 3 to 4 millimeters.▶ 8:08 The laminating resin allows for extended work time between layers, enabling him to pause production overnight without additional surface preparation.▶ 8:52 Once cured, the large sheet is cut into the final 24 panels, which are crated for shipment to Maryland.▶ 17:16 Using a multi-layered release system of wax and PVA ensures that fiberglass laminates separate cleanly from absorbent mold surfaces.
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