Hi guys, so here’s the deal.

I have a 1983 21’ Eliminator Daytona lite layup that I’m working on and I need some advice on glassing.

The boat originally had super small Douglas fir stringers. The dimensions were only ¾” thick by 1 ¼” tall.
According to Eliminator, they used 2 layers of 7 oz cloth and 1 7 oz matt in between to wrap them.

I’ve removed the stringers as they were riddled with holes and plan on installing some clear straight grain 5/4” x 4” Douglas fir. This material is kiln dried and an actual 1” x 4” material with no knots. I want to tab them in with some tape and then begin to wrap them with cloth.

One key issue/desire is because the Balsa floors are pristine on this boat I want to make sure my glass work does not ruin the looks.

Sooo, my plan is after the stringers are in, sand and then flocoat them and the floors to give a nice polished look.

My problem is;

1. I’ve had great experience with Epoxy (West Systems) on a previous project boat however, I’m concerned that I won’t be able to flocoat afterwards because flocoat is polyester based material and won’t adhere to the epoxy.

2. I’ve seen the “clear” epoxy as well. With that, would I be able to bypass the flocoating and just rely on the epoxy for the shine and protection?

3. I like epoxy because I could likely get away with less fabric and still have considerable strength (larger stringer size as well as better material in epoxy)

4. I do like the idea of polyester for reduced cost, ability to lay material without worrying about having to sand in between as well as dealing with blush (I’m going to be doing this in raining Washington with high humidity).

5. My shop is heated but not well insulated so I’m concerned about varying temperatures.

6. If I was to go epoxy, I’m thinking some light fabric (remember, the manufacturer used only 21oz total on the stringers) and would limit the unsightliness of my install.

7. If I was to go poly, I would likely use something much thicker with some matt.


So, my gut is telling me to go epoxy (system3 is manufactured locally) and you guys can talk me thru any issues so it looks as nice as possible.

Or am I just over thinking this thing. It’s a light layup boat that lived (and was raced) for all these years with no problems even though it was polyester, why change now?


I’m also wide open to suggestions on fabric, layup schedules. My son will be home from college next month so he’ll be able to help me and we can have good control on mixing of material so we don’t mix too much or not enough at a time.

Thanks for any and all advice you’re willing to offer……….john

Here's some pictures to help. Please feel free to throw out any ideas. I'm all ears











Artie, Dave. Help a brutha out.

Ditch the epoxy idea and go with vinylester resin,,its almost as strong as epoxy and you can go over it with polyester to get the look you want back..

Epoxy is cool stuff but 99% of the structural issues I see are either poor design or lay up.
Kinda like blaming the wood for rotting in your stringers instead of the people w/drills and no sealer

On stringers, the height is the strength so I think your pick for material there is fine. Lay it up well and you'll be fine.
Eliminators are amazing boats to see how to build one right.
I have a friend w/the same boat down here w/a 300 JohnRude on it. Thing has a bazillion colors in the gel and every line is crisp.
25 yr old boat and still looks like a museum piece.
A blast to drive too