Weekender/Vacationer fiberglassing

[Burton]

I was curious to know if anyone fiberglassed the hull/deck before attaching the gunnwals and trim?

[Andrew_Butchart]

I flush trimmed the sides to the top of the deck and then fiberglassed it after installing the side rub-rails but before installing the cabin trunk.

I'm planning on putting on a gunwale with holes in it (scuppers?) on.

I liked the idea of doing it this way as I thought it strengthened and waterproofed that joint. Time will tell. I'm a looooong way away from launch.

[Tony Pratt]

Hellow, On my weekender I fiberglassed and painted everything before I installed my rub rails, upper trim, cleats, so far everything still working great going on my third season of sailing with the boat.

[PAR]

By their nature, rub rails are considered sacrificial and are re-bedded or replaced from time to time. 'Glassing in the rubs will make removal or replacement more difficult and have the potential of trapping moisture under the 'glass sheathing, particularly at the lower edge, where it meets the hull. Sheath the hull, then install the rubs for the better results and future reparability, in case you base one against a dock and have to do something about it.

[ken connors]

I installed the rails on my Vacationer before I glassed. I deviated from the plans slightly by spacing the upper and lower rails an even 6" the length of the boat. That way I could use a 6' roll of glass in between instead of dealing with a mess of loose strands.

[capt jake]

I glassed the whole shebang and then installed rubrails, toerails, trim, etc.

[Burton]

Thanks for the info guys. I was of the mind that by just trial fitting the rubrails etc and removing. Then glassing the whole hull before installing them, would give me more water protectoin. And allow for removal/replacement if the time ever came. My Vacationer will likely be in the water all summer so keeping things dry is crutial.

Cheers!