Who would ever chose to apply liquid to an angled surface when most if not all can be done on the flat – and then pick up a smooth finish on a full size part, which has to take a fair line, and the finish cost nothing. KSS today – all main laminating is done off the boat.

The simplest table surface and the one that I recommend for a one-off project, is based on sheets of melamine covered chipboard or MDF. The pictures are of the table we made for the Colorado workshop. It took 2 hours and $120 to make. Sheets of good quality melamine are butt joined, with plenty of white wood glue and resting on trestles. My table here, made 7 years ago, is similar, but with a Formica surface added to cover the wear and tear of about 8 hulls etc. Everyone who sees the gel coat surface on the hulls says “I would be happy with that”.

There is a choice of finish to the melamine. Gloss or very slightly patterned. If planning to remain with the finish from the table, the gloss is best. If planning to use sandable gel coat and go for the high quality paint finish, the slight pattern works well and gets removed, along with any print through while preparing for painting. When using a white gel coat, which will be the final finish, it is preferable to use a colored surface. It will show up any thin areas of gel which would show through on the final panel.

Where a table is to be used for more than one project, it may be worth looking at other options.