Fiberglass boat building has become increasingly popular over the last several decades.  There are several reasons for this.  Fiberglass is relatively inexpensive when compared to some other materials, is fairly simple to use and it does not rot or leak.

One of the main disadvantages of fiberglass is the many health risks associated with inhaling the dust of the fibers.  This is why it is inherently important to take every necessary precaution if you will be exposed to fiberglass before you start your project.  Always ensure that there is not only adequate ventilation, but that you are using protective clothing and a face mask.

The main and most crucial component to building fiberglass boats is having an excellent mold.  The mold should be the mirror image of the hull that you are constructing.  Once you have a good mold, you can create as many boats as you would like to, all from the same mold.

The process for fiberglass boat building is fairly straight forward.  Starting with a good mold, you invert your mold onto your solid work surface.  You will need to place a “skin” over the mold so that you can easily remove your finished product.  If your mold has any indentations, you need to fill them with putty to prevent those imperfections from being transferred on to your finished product.  A gel coat is usually applied on top of the skin so you can easily remove your form when it has been completed.

The resins that are used have special preparation methods, so you will need to get a crash course when you purchase them.  After you have applied the skin to your mold, you can start applying the various layers of resin and fiberglass.  Of course, this is a pretty simplified explanation, but it is just an overview of the basic steps.

Once you have completed the fiberglass layers, and they have completely hardened and cured, you can remove the shell from the mold.  You will be paying the most attention to your keel and ensuring that it is as stiff as possible.  Once you have your basic form completed, there are other parts that need to be added, such as framing and bulkheads.  The fiberglass form is only the shell of the boat.  You should find a good set of detailed plans for fiberglass boat building before you undertake any project of this nature.

Building a fiberglass boat is not recommended as a beginner project, because it involves very special materials and a lot of technical knowledge.