Another Darter Thread

[Linesider82]

This winter I made my first run of darters. I am very happy with their action. Consistency etc.

I epoxied sealed them. I read a few boat forums on this subject and the consensus is that boat manufactures that craft wood hulls do not epoxy seal any longer because the seal eventually fails via puncture and actually creates a scenario where it fosters breakdown of the wood at a increased rate. Specifically the fast that the water enters the puncture and has no where to go except into the wood. I had one darter split this year, it was an oddball so to speak as it was a laminate piece with maple under a slightly more bouyant wood. Not sure if that is the issue, but the split was in the maple behind the belly hook and before the tail belly hook. (Flag tail)
Perfectly spaced between the two.

[pbadad]

Matt apparently the maple split from water entering under the grommet. At times installing grommet snug, scrapes the wood and breeches the sealer. This happen to one of my maple swimmers. I guess nothings perfect.

[stripermaineiac]

Darters love darters just hate makin them LOL. You guys that do it sucessfully are my heros.