HOW-TO BUILD a BOAT MOLD-Wet Sanding for Perfect Fiberglass Molds!

[@mikesimpkins7919]

Thank you for taking the time to show us everything you do to make this hardtop. I know it would be much easier to skip ahead, but the fact that you are taking us through the whole project in a very real manner (no big cuts and jumps or magic completions) sets you apart from so many DIY channels.

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad it was helpful! I appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@Grudzien34]

This is amazing information, thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience, you sir have one of the best boat fiberglass tutorials on youtube.

[@FishBumpTV]

Wow, thank you so much! I really appreciate your comment!

[@rdress8573]

8 hrs of sanding at a 100$ a hr make plp realize why it cost so much to have a boat repaired the right way thank you for this series

[@FishBumpTV]

Yes, most of this work is pretty labor intensive! Glad to shed some light on the subject for everyone. I hope it helps and thanks for watching!

[@andrewoelofsen940]

Awesome Joe, we have spoken before. My first sanding/ fibre glass job was when I was about 12 years old I was in boarding school and one of the teachers was doing a Baja bug from a old VW Beatle the best part was when I finished high school I saw that same Baja bug and teacher on the beach surf fishing and we had a beer together and spoke about that project, some things stick and some people make a impression on your life. Thanks, have enjoyed your show from the start of the 29

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for sharing! I am glad you are enjoying the channel and I hope there are many videos to come!

[@BradleyHornbuckle]

Captain Joe you guys are awesome man. I've been doing fiberglass in a production setting for about 5 years now and I'm still learning stuff from you and the channel I watch it pretty much everyday. Thanks for doing what you do and sharing your knowledge with the world I can't wait for the next video!!

[@FishBumpTV]

That is awesome! Glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@markmontagano]

Outstanding Programming. Your talent shines like a beacon. You really inspired me to complete my restoration of a 1993 Boston Whaler 21 Outrage. You are the Norm Abrams of the boating world. Hope to see you for years to come.

[@FishBumpTV]

Wow, thank you for the nice compliment! Glad to help!

[@mcmxillc6138]

Another great instructional video! Captain Joe, you don't have to apologize for being under the weather. You could be in a coma and still make better videos than 99.9999% of KZbinrs. 😂 I've watched your videos over and over and am learning so much from you. I have to laugh though because you make it look so easy which is common for those who are very accomplished at something. I laugh because I wonder how many will say to themselves "it was so easy when Captain Joe was doing it". I can't wait to see the next stages of building the mold, then the top, and finally see how you attach it to the tower that you're planning. You mentioned the task of building a one-off piece rather than a plug and mold, which is what many of us would do, so hopefully you'll take some time to cover the salient differences at the end of this series. Once again, amazing videos, an incredible teacher and an all-around great channel. You are such as asset to KZbin. Thanks so much.

[@FishBumpTV]

Wow, what a nice comment! Glad you are enjoying what we are doing, and I hope it inspires and helps you all! Working with fiberglass and composites opens up so many options for things to be built and repaired. I hope the channel continues to grow and that I can tackle many more interesting projects and repairs for you all! Thanks so much for watching and your support of the channel!

[@ewjorgy]

Loving this series! Thank you so much! You are a wealth of information and a fountain of inspiration! I have all the stuff I need now to go try this out on a few places on my own boat! All the best from California! 🧡

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome! Thank you for watching from California!

[@Art-jw8ho]

Someone compared you to Norm Abram below and that is so accurate! This channel is like the New Yankee workshop for boating.

[@FishBumpTV]

Haha, thanks! Glad you all are enjoying the channel!

[@darrendayton288]

Capt Joe, thanks for another great video. Every time i watch your channel, i get motivated to get to working on my project. Hope you feel better soon

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad you are enjoying the videos! I am feeling better today, thanks for your concern!

[@hubertanderson7044]

I hope you get to feeling better Joe . I have said it before and will say again,you are the man Joe . I have started on my boat and so glad you did these videos or I would have been lost and me doing it saves me a bunch of money. That way the money I’m saving on the labor I can buy the coosa the good stuff for my boat

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks so much, I feel much better today! Glad the videos are helping with your boat projects!

[@davewheeler5850]

Thanks again Captain Joe, another awesome episode from all at Fish Bump👍🇦🇺

[@FishBumpTV]

Very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@robertruetting1482]

third day watching for a few hours... learning a lot and thing about making a project... keep it up... THANKS...

[@FishBumpTV]

Great to hear! Thanks for watching

[@SCherry-j1t]

Looks great!

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks! I appreciate you watching!

[@cacoste]

I do know how to thank you for such a fantastic serie of videos, sharing so many details and knowhow i a very informative and educational way. Standing ovation for your effort.

[@FishBumpTV]

Wow, thanks so much!

[@markpalmer5311]

Super helpful, and as you said, also a good lesson for one-off finishes.

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for your comment!

[@Brootoolzor]

AWESOME WORK! Wish I had a shop to make a boat of my own, or restore one of my dream hulls. KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!

[@MarkBewley-v6w]

Just started watching Joe"s and Logan's channel, very well done. Plan on watching more. I have done a few projects but have a couple planned. So keep up the good work. Capt Mark

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome! Welcome to the channel and thanks for watching!

[@Mh7272]

As always. Awesome video!!!

[@FishBumpTV]

Wow, thanks so much!

[@DavidFisher-iw6bp]

Thank you for sharing the details you have during the design and build of the hardtop. I have learned things I needed to know. I also have years of experience doing automotive paint finishing and also finishing woods with stain techniques followed by wet sanding out to 2000 grit then polishing with compounds to a wet gloss piano grade finish. I very much appreciate learning more steps to take that experience into building fiberglass boats/products. I know you have not shared all the details of hull shape design but you have shared amazing amounts of info that will help me on my dream projects and practical projects too. Thank you very much! I really enjoy your videos! Wish you were fishing the Baja Pacific :)) Those are my stomping grounds...

[@FishBumpTV]

Awesome, thanks! I would love to fish the Baja pacific some day, and I wish you the best of luck with your future projects!

[@hubertanderson7044]

I always watch from start to finish and wishing they was more

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks so much, I appreciate your support of the channel!

[@billbarber7262]

You are a great instructor, thank you.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thank you, much appreciated!

[@josueordaz4359]

Good morning Joe, a few months ago I subscribed to your channel, the videos are really very good, what do you do with all the information and yes experiential, I have learned a lot from watching your videos, once again, thank you for sharing your experience with us

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for the sub! Glad you are enjoying the videos and I appreciate you watching!

[@TLCBB]

Fantastic video

[@FishBumpTV]

Much appreciated!thanks for watching!

[@mikem1436]

I haven't heard it mentioned as of yet but doing a thorough job of going thru the various grits of sandpaper and then buffing eliminates that process when completing the project. Even more so when making numerous parts off the same mold.

[@incognitoyt7940]

Very informative and well described

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for your comment!

[@williamfreret6859]

It shows how to do and it shows too the total amount of work! Composite parts prices are about 10% material and 90% handworks... Thks for the duct tape tips.

[@FishBumpTV]

Well said! Most people don't understand why this work can be so expensive until they see how much goes into it! I appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

Forgive me if my comment seems crazy. When you applied the black powder to identify and locate the low spots it seems that you would want to sand the places that are high and stay out of the low places? The quality of your workmanship is outstanding and you clearly know what you are doing. As a cabinet maker and machinist it seems if you are trying to create a flat uniform surface you work towards bringing everything to the lowest point. Did I miss something? You videos are excellent. Thank you.

[@FredrikPilebrand]

Fantastic series!!

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad you like them! Thanks for watching!

[@charlescamen5225]

Great video and very informative. Are you planning to make more than the one Hard Top? Could you discuss the pros and cons about making a plug and mold to make the Hard Top or make the Hard Top directly. Thanks.

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks, glad you you are enjoying the videos! Molds will generally produce a higher quality and more consistent part. They are a lot of work if you only need one part though. I do plan on building quite a few of them, so it definitely makes sense for me to build a mold. I have had lots of questions about building molds, so I thought I would document and share what I was was already going to do anyway with you all. Building a one off custom part is certainly a option for lots of applications, and I will probably do a video series on something like that at some point in the future. I hope this helps, and I appreciate you watching!

[@dallaskia6916]

Yes! Episode 4! 🙌🙌🙌

[@FishBumpTV]

Haha, glad you are enjoying the series!

[@howellgrange8257]

Great video

[@FishBumpTV]

Thank you very much!

[@rsrs3128]

This is a great series!

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks, glad you are enjoying the series!

[@2frogland]

great stuff cant wait to see the next step

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks! More videos coming soon!

[@Scatt-fz3wm]

Could you do a short on the Buskens 2900 loaded fishing weight? To heavy to tow long distance with a 1/2 ton truck? Thanks!

[@FishBumpTV]

Estimated weight of the loaded boat it around 8000 pounds give or take. My Tundra pulls it very well, with no problems. I don't even have to use 4 wheel drive when coming out of the ramp. Hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@qck57594]

Thank you Joe. Amazing work. Question, how long did it take to create the 29 plug? Again, Thank you for this great content.

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad you are enjoying the videos! I worked on the 29 plug for parts of two winters. Still ran some fishing charters , and other small jobs during that time. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@backcountrylifemagazine6912]

How many parts can you expect to create out of a finished mold, Top, hull, console, etc.? (I.e. how many production parts, until you have to recreate or repair the mold)? Will the plug last to make another mold in the future? Thx!!! Great content!

[@FishBumpTV]

With good maintenance and proper storage, a mold could produce hundreds of parts. I could also build multiple molds on the plug mold if I wanted to. Hope this helps, and thanks for watching!

[@backcountrylifemagazine6912]

@@FishBumpTV Thanks much Joe! Awesome channel! Great info!

[@timothypalmer454]

What PSI do you set your compressor at for sanding? I noticed your sanders slow down a bit when they contact the work surface...BTW Your doing a hell of a job.👍

[@FishBumpTV]

I am running on my small compressor when we are making the videos. My big compressor is in the same building, and is just to loud. Glad you are enjoying the videos and thanks for watching!

[@scottf6604]

Impressive!

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks, glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@diggy-d8w]

I see you're building a mold so you can replicate this for any other boats that need it but I have a question? Once you've built this "mold/plug", do you just lay "glass" within it & layer it up from there? If I wanted to build a "Top" for any thing in fiberglass would I start with a plywood shape & glass it over or use a foam, does fiberglass stand on it's own? And using your boat mold would you simply start fiberglassing by layers inside the "mold" & afterwards dump it out to finish? I lack the proper words I'm asking. I guess, are some boats simply "glass" laid inside of a "mold" that's dumped out to be the whole boat? Is that how some do it, I guess I'm asking? Sorry for the dumb question. Thanks for all the pearls of wisdom. I'm thinking about this !

[@benaturalandorganic]

Cpt Joe, I love these vids. Well actually all your yts. Could you give me a rough time frame for the length of this job. Then I'll add 50% 🤣Thanks keep them vids coming, they are addictive!

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks, glad you are enjoying the channel! I haven't really tracked every hour on the project, but if I were not having to slow down for filming the process for youtube, I would imagine somewhere around 80 to 100 man hrs from concept to completion. I hope this helps and I appreciate you watching!

[@APEXMonsterSharks]

Let's go fishing, Joe!!!

[@FishBumpTV]

Haha, I hear ya! Let's go man!

[@megajointen]

Hey Joe How many time would you say that this form Can be used? Again great videos your making for all off us👍 Best regards from Denmark Thomas

[@darthclone2002]

I think it is just to make a one time plug to build the form.

[@megajointen]

@@darthclone2002 he is only gonna use it once but you could use it more than one time, so i would just like to know how many times you could use it😊

[@FishBumpTV]

The plug mold could be used several several times, but the actual fiberglass mold could be used hundreds of times potentially. Of course good maintenance and how it is stored when not in use are also factors. I hope this helps and thanks for watching all the way from Denmark 🇩🇰!

[@waryaamaanta168]

Thank you very much bro

[@FishBumpTV]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching

[@FFGOMER17]

This may be a dumb question, but at the end when you were sanding with just the 1200 pad why did you have it flipped upside down and using the back of the paper? Was this intentional? Or did you do it inadvertently and the Velcro just happened to have enough abrasiveness to work?

[@FishBumpTV]

The disc wasn't upside down, the 1200 grit disc's are semi transparent and it makes them look that way. Thanks for watching!

[@josueordaz4359]

Joe I have a question, why when I work with the gelcoat, the outer layer stays half wet and never completely hardens? If you can help me with that I appreciate it, greetings from Louisiana

[@FishBumpTV]

It sounds like the gelcoat may not have wax in it. If you want gelcoat to cure tack free you have to use a wax additive to add to it, or buy gelcoat that already has wax added. If you check out my gelcoat secrets video you will see what I mean. The other potential issues could be that it is not mixed completely with the catalyst. You should be mixing for at least a minute, or you are not adding enough catalyst. It should be 1 to 2 percent, which is approximately 10 to 20 CCs per quarter. I hope this helps and thanks for watching!

[@josueordaz4359]

@@FishBumpTV Thank you very much Joe, I just saw that I made a mistake when buying the gelcoat, I did not order it with was, thank you very much for clarifying the doubt I had; It is the first time that I have used gelcoat, now watching your videos I am learning how to use it, again thank you very much

[@FishBumpTV]

I recommend buying a wax additive for the gelcoat. You need the unwaxed gelcoat for your base coats, then add wax to your final coat for a tack free surface.

[@mannymayer9250]

Guide coat is most likely carbon black. Most often made by burning an acetylene flame with no oxygen enhancing. This smoke buildup is scraped off a wall surface and collected.

[@FishBumpTV]

Interesting, thanks for your comment!

[@mannymayer9250]

I used carbon black for patterning signs years ago

[@nnymu-zl5qf]

Maybe you can also create a TikTok live stream so that you can let people participate in the live where they can ask questions

[@FishBumpTV]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@AbdulifetaBekri]

Hi

[@FishBumpTV]

Hello, thanks so much for watching!

[@86OEd]

👍👍👍

[@FishBumpTV]

Much appreciated!

[@jimclark2824]

Show me... sand the floor 😅

[@nicholasvangreat260]

Go see a doctor. Sounds like an upper respiratory infection.

[@FishBumpTV]

I am feeling better now. Thanks for watching!