Some may think vacuum-bagging is intimidating, but it is an easy, multi-purpose technique that’s within reach of most amateur boatbuilders. While vacuum-bagging an entire hull may be beyond the means and requirements of the home boatbuilder, there are lots of small parts that would benefit from a simple vacuum system.

My Rietschle Pico vacuum pump is now 22 years old, has a small capacity of 350 cu ft per hour but has been more than adequate for all the jobs I’ve needed to do on my 20' ultralight stitch-and-glue coastal trekker, including a 28' carbon-fiber mast.photographs by the author

The author's Rietschle Pico vacuum pump is now 22 years old and has a small capacity of 350 cu ft per hour, but it has been more than adequate for all the jobs he's needed to do on his 20' ultralight stitch-and-glue coastal trekker, including its 28' carbon-fiber mast.

There are different types of suitable vacuum pumps. At the lower end of the scale, a salvaged refrigerator compressor is enough for occasional use. You can find compressors for under $100 on eBay. For more advanced work, rotary-vane pumps are the most popular, with second-hand prices beginning around $225 or less and around $675 new. My pump is an industrial-grade oil-free, graphite-vane pump with a small but sturdy 370-watt motor, designed to run continuously.

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