More than a Patchwork Craft

History is littered with famous shipwrecks. Of course, the Titanic is arguably the most famous, but the ocean floor is littered with the broken hulls of famous disasters. One famous shipwreck that doesn’t entirely get its due, however, is one that happened in the mid-to-late 1960’s and about which we’ve all chuckled at one time or another - the shipwreck on Gilligan’s Island.

Of all the times when the zany crew of castaways had chances to get off the uncharted island in the South Pacific, the incident involving Gilligan's industrial-strength pancake syrup is probably one of the best. In short, the crew, for some reason, believed that the composite syrup was the answer to their dreams and that they'd be able to repair gaping holes in their boat with the sticky stuff and some two-by-fours.

Not so much.

If only they'd had some fiberglass on the island, they could've considered finishing the job. After all, fiberglass as a product was invented in 1932 by Russel Games Slayter of Owens-Corning, and the first boat constructed entirely from fiberglass was completed in 1956; so, it's not as if the crew of the S.S. Minnow wouldn't necessarily have had access to the proper materials. After all, there's something to be said for being prepared.

ResTex Composites in Schertz, Texas, is a fiberglass company that specializes in all of the materials necessary for boat construction and boat repair, most especially fiberglass chopped strand mat and woven roving,  which are materials used not only in boatbuilding but also in other industries as basic laminate reinforcement. Some of those industries are listed here:

●      Construction and Roofing

●      Automobiles

●      Industrial Corrosion

●      Transportation

●      Wind Energy and Power

●      Aerospace

●      Food Processing

●      Manufacturing

●      Cooling Towers

Fiberglass chopped strand mat (CSM) is the least expensive fiberglass to purchase and with which to work, and ResTex has the best prices in the industry on a wide variety of CSM and fiberglass matt roll options. For example, in basic boat repairs, CSM is used in the following manner and with the accompanying materials - all of which can also be purchased at ResTex Composites:

●      Abrasives: The area in need of repair is generally either ground out or sanded down so that the entire extent of the damage is revealed. ResTex carries a wide variety of abrasives that meet the requirements of the job.

●      Generally Torn Apart: CSM works more effectively when it's torn rather than cut because the length of the fibers are maintained along the torn edge, and a stronger bond is created with subsequent layers.

●      Application of Polyester or Vinyl Resin: Used to create thickness, the resin is generously brushed on and provides the fibers' binding and between layers of fiberglass.

●      Final Sanding: Once enough layers and resin have been worked into and through the damaged section and the patch has cured for roughly 24 hours, a final sanding is done to ensure that the work is completely smooth and ready for paint. ResTex also carries all the necessities for a quality, matched gelcoat for the patchwork.

Restex also carries a material called woven roving (WR), which is the primary strength material used in either fiberglass boat building or repair. Whereas CSM consists of chopped fiberglass of various lengths, WR is made of uniform, continuous strands of glass fiber that are woven together to create a material that is nearly cloth-like in texture. The pricing on the material is moderate, and any type of resin can generally be applied to it.

The primary difference between fiberglass chopped strand mat and woven roving is, however, that the WR is a rough, square, grid-like in appearance material that has exceptional flexibility and impact strength. If someone chooses to use WR for a boat repair, it is most likely because the damage is of a greater extent and in a place on the boat where outer appearance is not a primary concern. Further, in an effort to reinforce the WR, a CSM layer is typically placed between each layer of WR so that the rougher weave is completely filled in.

 

Why Choose ResTex for Your Boat Building Supplies

Everything for either a simple or complex fiberglass boat repair is available at ResTex Composites, ranging from the proper fiberglass for the patchwork and resins to abrasives and the appropriate gelcoat so that you have the right match for your paint job. ResTex can even provide valuable advice on a Do-it-Yourself boat repair, as their experienced representatives are more than happy to assist with all questions related to their fiberglass-reinforced products.

 

Get Back on The Water with ResTex

We're in the prime time of the boating season, and right now is when boat owners want their crafts out on the water and looking great. If there's a fiberglass boat out there that needs a repair, ResTex wants to help, whether by providing an extensive line of fiberglass products in the online catalog or hearing from either long-time or brand-new customers. Get in touch with their knowledgeable staff by calling (210) 642-0323 or by filling out the email form on the contact page. Getting the boat back on the water is only a phone call away.