I finished the bow section fillets this morning on my Chesapeake 16lt and I am happy with the results. However when filleting the bulkhead the epoxy mix pushed through to the other side. By the time I notice it the fillets were the consistency of firm clay. I was able to shape them a bit but they are still lumpy. They are certainly functional Just not as smooth as I’d like. I did try and file the down a bit. I ordered a Stanley shaver tool and that might knock them back. I also have a Dremel rotary tool but the dust could be horrendous. If I leave them as is will they interfere with the fiberglass cloth?
Typically you’d put another fillet on the other side, too. When you put that on you can make it smooth by painting it with unthickened epoxy using a chip brush.
Laszlo
I realized that too late. No what? Should I try to remove it? Heat gun or just scrape/sand them down until smooth and add the rest of the fillet?
Easiest thing to do is to just put the new fillets right on top of the squeeze-through and smooth them that way. They’ll be a little larger than they could have been, but that’s no big deal. As wide as the gaps between the bulkheads and hull are, they need the extra support from a larger fillet. Honestly, you’ll never notice the weight difference. If that was my boat I’d do that and not worry about trying to get rid of the squeeze-through. It’s not worth the effort., the returns are not worth the labor.
And yes, you want them smooth so they won’t snag the glass.
Laszlo
Laszlo,
I did file and sanded them down a bit. It will be ok as is but I’ll see if the shaver tool helps when it arrives. You are right it will be hardly noticeable especially when the pedals are installed.
Thanks again for your valuable advice.
Rob