1st Coats of Epoxy Primer

Finally, in mid-November 2024, I reached the milestone of applying the first coats of epoxy primer. It had been a long couple of months of filling and fairing, but the hard work paid off. The boat was almost perfectly faired, and the small imperfections left behind would be leveled out by the initial layers of primer.

These primer layers play a crucial role in creating a smooth and uniform surface with consistent hardness throughout. I applied three layers of Epifanes HB epoxy primer. To aid in sanding, I added a bit of black pigment to the first layer and a touch of blue pigment to the second layer. These slight color differences provided visual guidance during the sanding process.

In total, I used two whole buckets of primer, amounting to 8 liters. Building up this substantial thickness ensures that I can sand the hull to a perfect 120- or 180-grit finish.

During breaks from the primary boat work—mostly the endless sanding—I prepared the daggerboards and skeg. By the time I applied primer, these components were ready to be coated as well. The result was visually rewarding; for the first time in a long while, the hull had a consistent, even color all around. The clean, uniform appearance finally revealed the lines of the boat, which was incredibly satisfying.

While I was pleased with the amount of primer applied, I wasn’t as happy with the surface texture. It ended up with a fairly coarse, orange-peel-like finish. For the next coats, I plan to use a foam roller and thin the epoxy slightly to achieve a smoother surface. This should also help ease the sanding workload a bit.

This step marked a significant transformation in the project, and seeing the progress gave me a much-needed boost of motivation to keep pushing forward.