Glob Blog

The epoxy glob, it starts off so innocent...

Stem filleted and taped

I prefer bow loops through the stem rather than metal bow eyes. You can read about my bow eye and bow loop adventures at my seascull blog, bow loop transom and frames post. 

Bow loop in Nemah

Bow loop in CLC Chesapeake

Bow loop in CLC Chesapeake

The glob is the structural backing of the bow loop. It also prevents water from getting into the boat through the bow loop holes.

Glob in Sea Scull

I have considered reinforcing the stem in the area of the bow loop with a rod, like a stainless steel or bronze rod set in epoxy and fiberglass. Then I thought, "Why not make a fiberglass/epoxy reinforcing rod?" I have specified fiberglass grating and structural members for structures in corrosive environments. Why not make my own fiberglass rebar? 

So I did. I used epoxy to saturate some 24oz. 5-inch biaxial fiberglass then rolled it. I used a strip of polyethylene sheeting as a compression wrap. I could have taken the biaxial to the sushi bar and had the chef wrap it with his bamboo wrapper thingy, like he does with sushi rolls, but the plastic sheet worked fine.

Fiberglass rebar

Then I installed the fiberglass rebar in the stem.

Then the glob begins to grow. Whenever I do some work with epoxy, any excess gets added to the glob. It just keeps growing.

Fiberglass rebar covered

When the glob is complete, I drill the hole for the bow loop. I have always wanted to drill a curved hole, so that the bow loop rope lays around a smooth curve, but never I knew how to drill a curved hole until now.

I'll install a curved hole before completing the glob.

I drilled 1¼-inch diameter holes in the side panels and put a chunk of 1-inch PEX tubing in. I coated the PEX with paste wax so I can (hopefully) pull it out after the glob is complete. If I can't pull it, I'll simply run the  bow loop rope through the PEX.

1-inch PEX tubing for future bow loop

I left the PEX stick out on the outside so I can get a hold of it and hopefully pull it out later.

PEX left proud

Now I'll just keep piling excess epoxy over the PEX and let the glob grow and grow...


It's getting downright disgusting.

Each little bit of excess epoxy gets smeared onto the glob. I added a layer of biaxial fiberglass tape around the PEX.

That is looking a little less disgusting

Add some more excess thickened epoxy and start to coat with excess un-thickened epoxy to smooth out any sharp spots.

The PEX tube pulled out OK. It was fairly difficult to get it in there with a bend in it. It was just as difficult to get it out. But, the epoxy did not bond to it so I got it out.

Bow loop rigged with bow line