So I’m currently in the process of building my first board, a 5’8" mini-simmons. I have the board all shaped up and sanded but am wondering if I should install the leash plug and fin boxes before or after glassing the board? If the answer is to install them before glassing, how do I glass the board without covering up/filling in the cavities in the plug and boxes?
Thanks in advance for any advice you guys can give me.
After.
Bill is short but (as always) spot on.
Leash plug after lam, for sure and prior to sanding coat.
Being a Mini Simmons
My bet is, you have a number of boxes.
Most of the performance fin boxes show
installation prior to lam.
Any hey, many do 'em that way.
IMHO, just a bitch gettin’ the air bubbles out with the clock ticking!
I install the fin boxes after the lam.
You get better or more dialed in depth.
Careful with your “dog bones” and any slop.
leave stickers or mask oncovering openings.
Then grind laps.
Hotcoat and go on.
Before.
Really though, it depends on which fin boxes you are using.
And, you tape over the boxes then glass over them then pull/cut out the tape.
Settles that.
All the best
the systems vary
Preglass is a cleaner install imo and saves steps… regarding bubbles, I have only done a few boards preglass at this point and am no expert… But, using a razor blade while lamming, I keep getting closer and closer to “bubblefree”. I certainly have less bubbles than when I used to do finboxes postglass.
Just my opinion.
A 5-8 mini Sim gets glass on keel fins. no boxes… craft meets art… woven roven vs fin rope…
If anyone needs woven roven in SD contact me…I bought a yard…life time supply…
…Ray…
So nice!
Damn I gave up.
Gettin’ by
but that rope would be sweet.
Best
Depends on the Fin System you’re using:
FCS Fusion and FCSII - before laminating (also can install after a colored lam with clear fiberglass patch over)
FCS X-2 & FACTORY plugs - after hotcoat
Futures - before laminating (also can install after a colored lam with clear fiberglass patch over)
GEARBOX - before laminating (also can install after a colored lam with clear fiberglass patch over)
Leash plugs - noramlly after hotcoat (it’s just easier)
Interesting…
To each their own I guess…
I just did my first UG leash plug and I will NOT be going back to post glass.
Its just got to be stronger if you glass over the top of the box or plug, doesn’t it?
In fact when inserting boxes I lay glass from the deck and down under the box and back up the other side and back onto the deck.
Sure it takes longer, but I’m not on a deadline and I’ve never had a box ripped out hitting a reef.
I would think glassing over the top adds a small measure of strength, as well as watertight security. But the real strength IMO would come from the foam and stringer bond to the fin box below the surface. I generally install my boxes afer the first layer of glass (using fiberglass between box and foam) but before the last.
Nice Board Huck, real nice…