Devlin’s Mallard Build
- Thread starter Shawn_B
- Start date
Dennis P.
Member
If you can get a copy of Renn Tolman's book- 'A Skiff for All Seasons' I think his explanation of epoxy filleting and taping is one of the best out there.
He preaches economy of epoxy - no need to goop it on. No need to add more layers. iirc, 2 overlapping layers of 10oz cloth on a Tolman keel. Maybe it was 6 oz.
That should be plenty strong. Nice work.
For structural filler I use wood four and cabosil. For fairing compound I use phenolic microballons.
Shawn_B
Member
I hope everyone is well! So this has taken far longer than I expected, however I’m finally at the home stretch. I just put the second coat of petit protect on the bottom. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can paint the bottom with for economy? I read somewhere that people have used deck paint?(or is this nuts). I am using Parker’s duck boat paint for topsides and will use this for bottom to if you all think this is the way. Thanks
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Parker's paint is good for the entire boat. She's looking fantastic!
Shawn_B
Member
Thank you Eric! I really just had to stop myself and paint because there are enough imperfections that I could work on for the next month lol. Parker’s all the way then!
Tom Barb
Active member
Eric is right. Unless your keeping the boat in the water for extended periods of time, any topside paint is fine. Some have used gator glide on the bottom if you slide it/push it anywhere, but not necessary on a boat that size.
Nice work. I keep toying around with the idea of building a Scaup, but my 13 Whaler just keeps checking all the boxes for me as a "pretty good" all season boat.
Nice work. I keep toying around with the idea of building a Scaup, but my 13 Whaler just keeps checking all the boxes for me as a "pretty good" all season boat.
Shawn_B
Member
How much of a difference does the gator glide really make? Yeah I looked at the scaup also, it looks like a solid boat for the bays. But I went with the mallard for hunting up tight inside creeks and back bays.
William Reinicke
Active member
Never used gator glide, but I used wetlander on my boats. It is fantastic stuff. Makes the boat quicker and also it is just SUPER SUPER tough. I hit rocks and logs with my aluminum boat, that has it, and it hasnt even chipped a single time. I will warn you, you'll need to not back to the trailer in as far at the ramp. The first time I went to load my boat, after wetlander was applied, I ran it up to the winch, it slid right off the trailer. Had to get back out, pull the truck forward 2-3 feet and go for it again. Awesome work you are doing sir. Been following since the first post.
Shawn_B
Member
Thank you!, it’s overall good but I really could’ve kept sanding for better fine detail work. I want to hunt this within the next two weeks so it’s getting painted regardless
. Thank you for suggesting this product.
William Reinicke
Active member
I did a ducker in all wetlander one time. It was a crazy slick little boat. Even put a baby longtail on it and ran it an local river. Super fun little boat. One day I came home and it was gone. Someone needed it more than myself, i suppose. Wetlander is the real deal. I never look anywhere else. I am always so afraid to speak about it here as most here are very traditional and these older boats are way cooler than anything aluminum I buy. Since you built yours and asked about gator glide, I figured why not share this product. I dont think it should go on anything older, as it takes away from that vintage natural restoration side of some of these projects on here.Thank you!, it’s overall good but I really could’ve kept sanding for better fine detail work. I want to hunt this within the next two weeks so it’s getting painted regardless
Testimony+Pics+Video - Wetlander Slick Bottom for Boats
See testimony for Wetlander on Airboats See testimony for Wetlander on Driftboats See testimony for Wetlander on Duck boats See testimony for Wetlander on Mudboats See testimony for Wetlander on Jet boats See testimony for Wetlander on jon boats Miscellaneous...
wetlander.com
The first video on this page is what sold me on the product many many years ago.
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Shawn_B
Member
Ok thank you for your advice. I’m going to use the wetlander product. Would any one that’s used it think that it’s tough enough to apply over the keels without using aluminum or brass strips to protect them?I did a ducker in all wetlander one time. It was a crazy slick little boat. Even put a baby longtail on it and ran it an local river. Super fun little boat. One day I came home and it was gone. Someone needed it more than myself, i suppose. Wetlander is the real deal. I never look anywhere else. I am always so afraid to speak about it here as most here are very traditional and these older boats are way cooler than anything aluminum I buy. Since you built yours and asked about gator glide, I figured why not share this product. I dont think it should go on anything older, as it takes away from that vintage natural restoration side of some of these projects on here.
Testimony+Pics+Video - Wetlander Slick Bottom for Boats
See testimony for Wetlander on Airboats See testimony for Wetlander on Driftboats See testimony for Wetlander on Duck boats See testimony for Wetlander on Mudboats See testimony for Wetlander on Jet boats See testimony for Wetlander on jon boats Miscellaneous...
The first video on this page is what sold me on the product many many years ago.
Shawn_B
Member
I have the deck boards installed. The two end boards are loose and I left a section out of one of the middle boards for bilge access. I am going to contact cement some green army bed roll mats from Midway USA (I read this from another post before I started this project and I just so happen to have two that I will never try to sleep on again).
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RM Anderson
New member
Shawn, You will love the Wetlander. Have used it on both of my duck boat builds. There is not a better product in my opinion for amateur builders such as myself. As many others have testified, it is tough as any finish out there and using only a lowly paint roller it delivers professional results. Richard
