March 15, 2004
With the deck ready for priming, work continues on the cowls and tail. The new tail fin is a fiberglass-honeycomb laminate, thus the edges must be sealed. Mike Hanson first added a radius to the upper edges. 2" fiberglass tape was then draped over the top edges and flow-coated with epoxy to leave a smooth, strong surface. Once this cures, each side of the tail will be glassed and flow-coated and the rest of the edges potted.
The new cowls are much lighter and stronger than the originals. However, more structure is being added to the rear cowl to help with stiffness. Two foam ribs, one on either side, have been glued and vacuum bagged in place. A wet lay-up of fiberglass-carbon fiber-fiberglass is then bagged in on top of this to significantly increase the strength of the rib.
First, vacuum bag tape (thick, gooey tape - like butyl tape) is placed around the area when the lay-up will occur on the part. This is so it will be possible to seal the vacuum bag later. The part is wetted with epxoy and the first layer of glass applied. When this piece is fully soaked, the layer of carbon is added, and following the same procedure, the last piece of glass is added.
A piece of porous plastic is then used to cover the entire layup. This plastic, called release film, is used to prevent the laminate from sticking to the vacuum bag. The holes in the release film allow excess epoxy to escape (reducing weight) and any air bubbles trapped to come out.
A white piece of cloth is then placed over the release film called breather. This piece ensures even airflow throughout the part and absorbs the excess resin. Finally, an airtight piece of plastic called a vacuum bag is placed over the entire layup and is sealed to the vacuum bag tape that was placed down previously. The vacuum pump is then connected and the part placed under vacuum.
This ensures the part will hold its shape, and provides an effective press to hold everything together. The part is allowed to cure overnight, and then the vacuum, bag, breather, and release are removed leaving a strong, stiff part.
While the lay-up for the rear cowl is taking place, David Smith is working on the front cowl fitting it to the deck. After determining placement, he mounted the rails to the deck which will then be mounted to the cowl.
The spine for the rear tail fin was put in place temporarily in preparation for placing the rear cowl on Wednesday. Mike Hanson drilled 4 new holes and welded up the original four mounting holes as with the new structure in the transom the original holes would not work.
Ryan Smith (on spring break) then had the task of climbing under the rear deck to help bolt the spine in place while Skip Schott worked outside the boat.
Read MoreThe new cowls are much lighter and stronger than the originals. However, more structure is being added to the rear cowl to help with stiffness. Two foam ribs, one on either side, have been glued and vacuum bagged in place. A wet lay-up of fiberglass-carbon fiber-fiberglass is then bagged in on top of this to significantly increase the strength of the rib.
First, vacuum bag tape (thick, gooey tape - like butyl tape) is placed around the area when the lay-up will occur on the part. This is so it will be possible to seal the vacuum bag later. The part is wetted with epxoy and the first layer of glass applied. When this piece is fully soaked, the layer of carbon is added, and following the same procedure, the last piece of glass is added.
A piece of porous plastic is then used to cover the entire layup. This plastic, called release film, is used to prevent the laminate from sticking to the vacuum bag. The holes in the release film allow excess epoxy to escape (reducing weight) and any air bubbles trapped to come out.
A white piece of cloth is then placed over the release film called breather. This piece ensures even airflow throughout the part and absorbs the excess resin. Finally, an airtight piece of plastic called a vacuum bag is placed over the entire layup and is sealed to the vacuum bag tape that was placed down previously. The vacuum pump is then connected and the part placed under vacuum.
This ensures the part will hold its shape, and provides an effective press to hold everything together. The part is allowed to cure overnight, and then the vacuum, bag, breather, and release are removed leaving a strong, stiff part.
While the lay-up for the rear cowl is taking place, David Smith is working on the front cowl fitting it to the deck. After determining placement, he mounted the rails to the deck which will then be mounted to the cowl.
The spine for the rear tail fin was put in place temporarily in preparation for placing the rear cowl on Wednesday. Mike Hanson drilled 4 new holes and welded up the original four mounting holes as with the new structure in the transom the original holes would not work.
Ryan Smith (on spring break) then had the task of climbing under the rear deck to help bolt the spine in place while Skip Schott worked outside the boat.
