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Author Topic:   How Are Molded Fiberglass Boats Made?

pamlico posted 11-19-2002 03:17 PM ET (US)
[I am] curious to know how a fiberglass boat is built, and not necessarily a Whaler but just a basic fiberglass boat. I've heard it is done in a mold, but other than that I'm clueless. If anyone knows the process from A-Z, I'm willing and ready for a free education.
where2 posted 11-19-2002 08:16 PM ET (US)
Check the following website: http://www.jupitermarine.com/construction.htm
Ignoring the first picture with the comments about 316 stainless steel. The second picture shows a hull in the middle of construction. At the point you see there, the following things already happened. The mold was sprayed with wax, the gelcoat was sprayed onto the inside of the waxed mold, the various layers of fiberglass cloth and liquid resin were applied, the stringers were added, more cloth and resin were applied, and the whole thing was left to cure.
Picture #3 shows the cured hull coming out of the mold thanks to the wax which allows the gelcoat not to stick to the mold (why do new boats look freshly waxed? they are made pre-waxed).
Picture #4 shows the hull up on edge, next things like the gas tank and any foam floatation are added between the stringers.
Picture #5 shows the interior liner that makes a boat look like a finished product on the inside, being nestled into the outer hull.
Picutre #6 shows the hull going into a paint booth, whalers don't get painted like this.
The middle red picture at the bottom of the page shows what the inside of a hull mold looks like. They are usually inspected between boats to be sure nothing stuck to the inside of the mold which might cause a flaw in the next hull made.
There's the $0.25 tour of the way a fiberglass boat is constructed. From here, I suggest you visit a real factory for a real tour. The real tours are much more exciting...
T Party posted 11-21-2002 12:22 AM ET (US)
Pamlico -
There are several boatbuilders in eastern North Carolina (e.g, Privateer, Fountain, and Grady White). I recently took a tour of the Fountain boat factory with a group of cub scouts, and we saw exactly how they do it. It was a very interesting tour, but I'm not sure how to go about getting one.
I live in Washington, one block from the US17 bridge.
Whalerdan posted 11-21-2002 08:41 AM ET (US)
Come down her to Charleston. We have serval boat manufactures in the area. Just walk up to the lobby and ask to see how there boats are made, they'll be happy to show you. I've been through the Key West and Scout plants.
weekendwarrior posted 11-22-2002 01:43 PM ET (US)
When I was younger my parents had a boat made by "Jupiter" that was 14' with a 40HP Johnson on it. The boat was a 1960's model. I don't think this is the same "Jupiter" company, but does anyone know for sure? We were in Lake Park FL so the boat could have been from another boat company in Jupiter FL.
pamlico posted 11-22-2002 05:02 PM ET (US)
Thanks everyone for your response's.
I checked out the webpage on jupitermarine that WHERE2 gave me and the pics were worth a thousand words.
WHALERDAN, if and when I make it to Charleston I got to check out that Aircraft Carrier and Submarine you guys have on display.
T Party your close to home,...about 30 minutes away. Maybe one day I'll catch you on the Pamlico River or the mighty Pamlico Sound.
Take care you ol' salts.
jimh posted 11-22-2002 10:48 PM ET (US)
Most boats are built from female contact molds, into which a fiberglass reinforced plastic laminate is created, working from the outmost layer inward.
The laminating schedule and technique varies with the builder.
where2 posted 11-25-2002 05:50 PM ET (US)
Having grown up and still living in North Palm Beach, FL (Next Door to Lake Park)and with my parents having previously owned a Jupiter_15 (1973 15' Trihull with 50hp Johnson). I am quite willing to guess the old Jupiter company and the new Jupiter company have little in common other than the name.
According to the new Jupiter Marine website: "Jupiter was founded in 1989 in Jupiter, Florida and was named after this prestigious coastal community. The company was relocated in 1998 to a larger and more efficient manufacturing plant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida."
Thanks for making me look into that weekendwarrior, I always wondered if they had any sort of historical links to the old company...

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Author	Topic: How Are Molded Fiberglass Boats Made?
pamlico	posted 11-19-2002 03:17 PM ET (US) [I am] curious to know how a fiberglass boat is built, and not necessarily a Whaler but just a basic fiberglass boat. I've heard it is done in a mold, but other than that I'm clueless. If anyone knows the process from A-Z, I'm willing and ready for a free education.
where2	posted 11-19-2002 08:16 PM ET (US) Check the following website: http://www.jupitermarine.com/construction.htm Ignoring the first picture with the comments about 316 stainless steel. The second picture shows a hull in the middle of construction. At the point you see there, the following things already happened. The mold was sprayed with wax, the gelcoat was sprayed onto the inside of the waxed mold, the various layers of fiberglass cloth and liquid resin were applied, the stringers were added, more cloth and resin were applied, and the whole thing was left to cure. Picture #3 shows the cured hull coming out of the mold thanks to the wax which allows the gelcoat not to stick to the mold (why do new boats look freshly waxed? they are made pre-waxed). Picture #4 shows the hull up on edge, next things like the gas tank and any foam floatation are added between the stringers. Picture #5 shows the interior liner that makes a boat look like a finished product on the inside, being nestled into the outer hull. Picutre #6 shows the hull going into a paint booth, whalers don't get painted like this. The middle red picture at the bottom of the page shows what the inside of a hull mold looks like. They are usually inspected between boats to be sure nothing stuck to the inside of the mold which might cause a flaw in the next hull made. There's the $0.25 tour of the way a fiberglass boat is constructed. From here, I suggest you visit a real factory for a real tour. The real tours are much more exciting...
T Party	posted 11-21-2002 12:22 AM ET (US) Pamlico - There are several boatbuilders in eastern North Carolina (e.g, Privateer, Fountain, and Grady White). I recently took a tour of the Fountain boat factory with a group of cub scouts, and we saw exactly how they do it. It was a very interesting tour, but I'm not sure how to go about getting one. I live in Washington, one block from the US17 bridge.
Whalerdan	posted 11-21-2002 08:41 AM ET (US) Come down her to Charleston. We have serval boat manufactures in the area. Just walk up to the lobby and ask to see how there boats are made, they'll be happy to show you. I've been through the Key West and Scout plants.
weekendwarrior	posted 11-22-2002 01:43 PM ET (US) When I was younger my parents had a boat made by "Jupiter" that was 14' with a 40HP Johnson on it. The boat was a 1960's model. I don't think this is the same "Jupiter" company, but does anyone know for sure? We were in Lake Park FL so the boat could have been from another boat company in Jupiter FL.
pamlico	posted 11-22-2002 05:02 PM ET (US) Thanks everyone for your response's. I checked out the webpage on jupitermarine that WHERE2 gave me and the pics were worth a thousand words. WHALERDAN, if and when I make it to Charleston I got to check out that Aircraft Carrier and Submarine you guys have on display. T Party your close to home,...about 30 minutes away. Maybe one day I'll catch you on the Pamlico River or the mighty Pamlico Sound. Take care you ol' salts.
jimh	posted 11-22-2002 10:48 PM ET (US) Most boats are built from female contact molds, into which a fiberglass reinforced plastic laminate is created, working from the outmost layer inward. The laminating schedule and technique varies with the builder.
where2	posted 11-25-2002 05:50 PM ET (US) Having grown up and still living in North Palm Beach, FL (Next Door to Lake Park)and with my parents having previously owned a Jupiter_15 (1973 15' Trihull with 50hp Johnson). I am quite willing to guess the old Jupiter company and the new Jupiter company have little in common other than the name. According to the new Jupiter Marine website: "Jupiter was founded in 1989 in Jupiter, Florida and was named after this prestigious coastal community. The company was relocated in 1998 to a larger and more efficient manufacturing plant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida." Thanks for making me look into that weekendwarrior, I always wondered if they had any sort of historical links to the old company...