March 17, 2004
Ryan Smith, still home on spring break, stopped by in search of a free lunch and ended up under the rear deck (again!).
This was to help in fitting the rails for the rear cowl. With David Smith on the deck, Ryan went under ensuring all holes were accessible and to tighten down all the bolts. Dixon Smith went under later for the same purpose.
With the rear cowl rails bolted in place, the rear cowl was then placed over them to determine fit. The cowl was removed several times so David could "tweak" the rail angle with a hammer.
The rails are the original from the boat and are aluminum angle bent to an acute interior angle to match the cowl.
After several renditions, the rear cowl was fit.
Next, all cowl rails (front and back) were removed. Cellophane tape was placed on the deck and waxed, as well as on the interior of both cowls. This is to prevent the Hysol that is about to be used from sticking to the cowls or deck.
The aluminum angles were then bolted back in place, and the surfaces that contact the cowls covered in Hysol. The cowls were then replaced on the rails and the glue allowed to cure.
In doing this, the glue only sticks to the aluminum angle, but assumes the shape of the cowls, thus allowing for an airtight, perfect fit.
As this was occurring, the new tail had each side glassed and flow-coated with epoxy to provided added strength and a smooth surface (similar to the deck).
Meanwhile, the skid fin, back from being anodized, was bolted in place in preparation for final placement. The primary runners will also be replaced in the future.
With the shaft and struts already aligned, Dixon Smith used a Merlin crankcase and Fairlane style Merlin gearbox to begin engine alignment on the rails to the shaft. Using aluminum shims between the engine feet, engine mounts, and engine rails, he was able to align the engine to the shaft line.
Read MoreThis was to help in fitting the rails for the rear cowl. With David Smith on the deck, Ryan went under ensuring all holes were accessible and to tighten down all the bolts. Dixon Smith went under later for the same purpose.
With the rear cowl rails bolted in place, the rear cowl was then placed over them to determine fit. The cowl was removed several times so David could "tweak" the rail angle with a hammer.
The rails are the original from the boat and are aluminum angle bent to an acute interior angle to match the cowl.
After several renditions, the rear cowl was fit.
Next, all cowl rails (front and back) were removed. Cellophane tape was placed on the deck and waxed, as well as on the interior of both cowls. This is to prevent the Hysol that is about to be used from sticking to the cowls or deck.
The aluminum angles were then bolted back in place, and the surfaces that contact the cowls covered in Hysol. The cowls were then replaced on the rails and the glue allowed to cure.
In doing this, the glue only sticks to the aluminum angle, but assumes the shape of the cowls, thus allowing for an airtight, perfect fit.
As this was occurring, the new tail had each side glassed and flow-coated with epoxy to provided added strength and a smooth surface (similar to the deck).
Meanwhile, the skid fin, back from being anodized, was bolted in place in preparation for final placement. The primary runners will also be replaced in the future.
With the shaft and struts already aligned, Dixon Smith used a Merlin crankcase and Fairlane style Merlin gearbox to begin engine alignment on the rails to the shaft. Using aluminum shims between the engine feet, engine mounts, and engine rails, he was able to align the engine to the shaft line.
