The Bear Mountain Boat Shop

Glen,

I like this advice. I was told and was under the impression that allergic reactions only get worse with the more exposure to epoxy, until just being in the same room with fumes will start the allergic response?

Phil

I am located in Southern Ontario. I built a 16' Prospector this summer and it turned out excellent. I would like to build more canoes, but am prone to allergic reaction to the epoxy. I break out in a rash. My nose and ears swell....the elephant man comes to mind. My strongback and station molds are ...

Randy and Patrick,

That's a great looking redbird. All's I know is that the more beautiful the canoe is, the more the scratches hurt, and by the looks of that canoe you guys are going to be shedding a few tears once in awhile. Great to have forumed with you while we built our canoes.

Phil

I have ambition to do a second one or maybe a kayak, but I had quite an allergic reaction to the epoxy towards the end of the project. It started on my inner forearm where I got a little epoxy from the plastic solvent glove I was wearing. The next day my forearms had a rash on them. The next day my ...

I did not have time to post finished pictures of the prospector before my vacation. I was too busy finishing the canoe. I wanted to take the time to show you what we accomplished. I say we, because without this forum the canoe would still be a frustrating mess in the basement. This forum was pivotal...

Thanks for the advice. I think the plan of attack will be to put on one coat. There should not be any trapped solvent in one coat that has to cure over time. Then tomorrow I will put it out in the sun until we go. We have a small green house that I can lock it in. It should bake pretty good in there...

Yes, I was only going to put one coat on, just to get through the vacation and then finish her up. Maybe a better idea would be to thin some epoxy with acetone and put on a light layer to make it look nice again? Any advice out there?

Phil

Well I started in April and thought I would have lots of time to finish the canoe before our Algonquin trip now in Aug. I now know this is not enough time to finish a stripper canoe and have fun with it. It has gotten intense as of late. Last night I finished the trim and all I need to do now is var...

Sedges,

Thanks for the advise. With regards to 4" bolts. The curve of the sheerline and getting the seats to be parrallel with the waterline means that you cannot utilize all 4" of two of the bolts. Is this a correct asessment or is there something I am missing?

Thanks,
Phil

Sorry Glen, I forgot to specify that it has a steel pilot instead of a brass one. There was a comment earlier about the brass not burning the wood. Further thinking about this though has made me realize that it will not be touching the wood anyways. The canoe is glassed and epoxied and the inwale an...

I also bought the dremel 1/8" round over bit and am just coming up to this step. It does not have a brass pilot. Can anyone comment on the success or failure of this router bit for this function?

Phil

I bought 4"x1/4" brass bolts on the advice of a reputable canoe supply store to hang the seats in my 16' Prospector. Last night I cut, drilled and temperarily hung them. They look too high! Especially the back one. I don't want to sit with my knees hanging on my ears, but I also don't want...

All good info. I am surprised I did not run into one caution in all the literature I read. I would have been more prepared. The big question of the day is after I sand the problem areas to be visually pleasing do I need to add a bias cloth in the stem area for strength? Again some of the frays leave...

I wetout the inside of the Prospector on the Aug long weekend. I read all literature I could find and plunged fearfully forward, expecting bubbles and rinkles, etc. I filled all possible cracks and began to wetout from the middle of the canoe with my brother. None of those things happened. The middl...

Sorry, After re-reading there are not many ways to interpret, "I apply it by brush."