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This week I came across a couple of really good tips from other builders on our Forum and one via email. If you’ve built a boat before or many times, you may think the way you do things is common knowledge. But,often, it isn’t. We welcome any comments you have and additional ideas and helpful tips that you’ve learned about building boats. I hope this helps.

In regard to fiberglassing:

• I use cheap chip brushes and just throw them away (I’d rather drink a beer than waste time cleaning a cheap brush).
• You can sometimes get a second use out of a brush by wrapping them in plastic and putting them in the freezer.
• Always use nitrile gloves not latex. You can turn the glove inside out over the brush to put in the trash or freezer.
• Plastic food containers work well and flex enough that you can usually get the cured epoxy out. Same for plastic paint trays.
• Mini bread pans work well and help keep the mix from heating up. You can also freeze some water in the bottom of one pan then nest the mixing pan in the frozen one. When the pan builds up too much throw it away and get another. Bill Edmundson via the Glen-L Forum

In regard to boat building

I used to tell my boatbuilding students upon completing the class, don’t let the project be smarter than you! If you get frustrated, just go out and sweep up sawdust. Look at the boat, sand something, step away from the confusion, just DO NOT walk away from the boat! Ray Vosper via email

If you have an idea to add, feel free to post a comment–we’d love to hear from you too!