hotrod31

just wanting to know if I fiberglass the entire fusealage bottom, or just before the step. Also fiberglassing the engine pod to the rear fin, should I glass the entire fin + pod or do I glass only where the pod meets the fin? do I glass the whole sponson or just the bottom? it won't see much water(maybe 1-2 times a year). thanks

MinnFlyer

My Feedback: (4)

You only need to glass from the step, forward (including the step). I skipped glassing altogether and just layed a piece of thin ply over the forward area. I didn't glass the nacell either. A few pieces of tri stock between the nacell and fin was all it needed

aa1a

My Feedback: (4)

I Glassed both of my northstar Bellys front to back. I also glassed from the center of the engine pods down to near the bottom of the fins. I added triangle stock where the pod meets the fin too. This area sees a lot of vibration and serious loads during a hard landing. If you use a lighter cloth and work at getting most of the excess epoxy off the weight you add is minimal.
Jim

hotrod31

I was thinking I would glass the whole bottom but Im covering with monocote, how well will the monocote stick to the epoxy/fiberglass?

aa1a

My Feedback: (4)

I Monokoted the bottom of the northstar and every time I fly it I have to fix the Monokote. On my Mariner 120, when I re-glassed the bottom I painted it. A much better solution in my opinion. Now I use stix it (same as balsarite) on any surface anywhere near the waterline before I put on the Monokote. It really helps the monokote stay put but it is messy if it gets on your iron.
Jim

evan-RCU

I put ply on the front bottom and a couple layers of thin glass and just one layer of thin glass on the rear half. I've done some off roading with mine and it's held up very well.