Thread: GIS in South Dakota

If you can find a decent name brand epoxy at a store nearby I would recommend buying it there. I bought the stuff for my first plywood boat (a pirogue) online but it wasn't enough. Rather than pay shipping on a small amount I went local and have been buying it that way ever since. I can guess at quantities and don't fear running out.

In spite of the problem I had with runs and sags on my GIS build I have come to prefer MAS epoxy. I use both slow and medium hardeners but you might need fast way up yonder, especially with winter coming on.

As an old woodworker (really really old!) I would not look forward to shaping the foils with a belt sander. You would have to start with a very rough grit belt to make any progress and handling a belt sander doing critical work is not for the inexperienced. It can be done but you have to either take it slow or risk messing up and having to start over. I used an electric hand planer then switched to a jack plane and block plane as I approached the final shape.

Keep us posted and remember, lots of pics!

I apologize for the severe lack of pictures so far! I am a little bit of a planner, so I am yet to make my first cut. I am trying to find marine grade plywood locally, DuckworksBBS knew of a place in Minneapolis that I will check. Anyone have a specific recommendation of certain ply's or let price and look decide?

Has anyone ever seen a GIS not made from marine grade ply? I am curious how much difference it will make in the long run.

Thanks for the advice!

I'm sure others have recommendations, but if all else fails you can order Okoume from CLC Okoume Marine Plywood: Beautifully-Figured Grain, Golden Hue, Ultra-Light, No Voids, BS 1088 Quality - 3mm, 4mm, 6mm, 9mm, 12mm, 18mm - Affordable Shipping and/or Jamestown distributors. Bruynzeel Hechthout (Okoume) Marine Plywood

Try to get Marine plywood. The best materials for your boat, especially this one, since it is specified by the designer, and the boat is really engineered for lightness. In a planing hull, you'll want to save the ounces.

My answer is the same - use marine ply. The price difference between marine and other grades looks large. But when you compare the price of the ply to the rest of the materials it is less than 20% and the price difference is less than 5% in the total build. Buy quality wood... you won't regret it.

Yes, I agree. For the GIS it's worth paying extra for quality Okoume marine ply. For the OZracer, not as critical.

Wow ... I think it has all been covered by the GIS team in the above!

Cool

MIK