Graphite Epoxy

[Wade White]

I was thinking about using graphite on the bottom of the boat I'd like to make. Granted it's a Kara, but it's what works best for me now for my budget. I'm wondering does the graphite act as a UV inhibitor or will I still have to paint it? I've heard that with the graphite in the epoxy it helps make it glide through the water and is very abrasion resistant.
Has anyone used this method and what did you think?

 

[Lee Harker]

Hopefully, the bottom of the boat won't be in the sun. If you paint it, then you defeat the purpose of doing it. If you store it outside, upside down, just put a tarp over it.

 

[Ray]

This is used a often on sea kayaks that get dragged on the beach a lot. It acts as a wear surface so that the fibers stay covered. It won't help much with the gliding through the water thing unless you spend some time wet sanding and polishing it to mirror smoothness.

The UV from the sun will impact the surface MILs but the graphite will "save" the rest of the epoxy. However, once the first MILS go the rest will follow.