I have built three boats - two cedar strip and one mahogany strip. Each boat was faired and sanded, then fiberglassed with 6 oz. cloth and MAS epoxy. One boat was precoated, two were not. The fiberglass was coated with several coats of epoxy until there was no evidence of weave showing even after final sanding. All boats were varnished with three to five coats of Z-Spar Captain's varnish. Two of the boats were "rubbed out" and waxed automobile fashion. All of the wood was obtained from a reputable local lumber dealer from inside heated storage. I have also built two canoe paddles and a double bladed paddle, all of which also had fiberglassed blades. The boats are stored outside under the deck, out of direct sunlight. The paddles are stored inside. Each boat has only been used a few times this past summer.

Now the problem - When I look at the surfaces of the boats and paddles I see what appears to be the weave of the cloth showing. It is not rough or bumpy, but when viewed at a shallow angle, it is readily apparent. At the joint of each strip the effect seems more pronounced, outlining the joint. At points where the wet out coat of fiberglass was feathered into the adjacent wood, the glass fibers are white even though the areas received the same epoxy fill coats as the main sections. The paddles exhibit the same phenomenon.

What happened to the finish? I have heard a few theories, but no definitive concrete reasons backed up by conclusive experimental results or vendor literature. Assuming there is a definitive answer or reason for the degradation, what can be done to prevent it? Can it be repaired? Do professional builders have the same problem?

I would sure like to solve the problem before building my next boat.

John