Projects: Building the dream boat with epoxy – by Joe Latimer and Alex Lyddon
Joe Latimer and Alex Lyddon have been working together to build the boat of their dreams – now they are nearing completion, we catch up with them to find more out about the experience, and any problems they may have encountered along the way.
Firstly, tell us a little about yourself.
Joe: I’m a postgraduate ecology student at Exeter, originally from Surbiton. I’ve always had a passion for the sea – from scuba-diving, surfing, and, of course, boats.
Alex: I’m already a qualified sailing instructor in Egypt, so I definitely have a passion for sailing, and other extreme sports like windsailing or skiing. For both of us, joining the Lyme Regis Boat Building Academy was a way to develop upon the interests we already had.
How did the project come about?
We wanted a boat we could use for whizzing around Lyme Bay, but could also be used on the Thames, and so we had one of our own instructors Mike Broome design the boat for us. It’s an idea we’ve had for a while.
Joe: Also, my Dad has always wanted a boat.
Which WEST SYSTEM or PRO-SET epoxy products did you use? How did they help?
The product we used the most was WEST SYSTEM 105 Epoxy Resin pack with 205 Hardener. It ensured the boat stayed together, which was particularly important as the boat relies completely on epoxy for stiffness and water tightness.
What was the most rewarding part of the project?
So far it has been watching the boat shape completely come together, such as the hull and transom, but we’re sure the most rewarding part will be finishing!
What’s your top tip for boatbuilders looking to start a similar project?
Stitch and glue is a great method for speeding up the building of the hull, as it means lofting is not needed – giving you a lot more time to concentrate on the interior. But our number one top tip would be to buy more WEST SYSTEM epoxy than you think you will need!
For both Joe and Alex, building their as yet unnamed 14’ Broom Runabout boat has been rewarding experience – we hope that soon they’ll be able to take it out on the water and enjoy the results of their hard work!
