1st post, looking for advice

[phatdaddy]

take lots of pictures

[earle]

Originally Posted by phatdaddy

take lots of pictures

Trying to figure out how to post the work in progress. Actually accomplished some today. Got one section ready to glass and will try to get the second one ready tomorrow after work. It's going much smoother now that I realize it's not a one day job, at least for me. Work on one section at a time and get it right. Kind of neat actually.

[earle]

Things are progressing nicely, now that I'm paying more attention to detail, ha-ha. Need to do a bit of brainstorming tho. The next section to do is the main (front) section of the bow. As stated before it's about 80"w x 40" at centre line. Going to make a one piece template tomorrow and see if it fits thru the sliding hatch.
Any ideas if it doesn't? I know I can put it up in pieces, but then I've got to lay the skin on from up-side down, probably also in pieces. Exactly what I hope to avoid. All and any idea's welcome. Thanks
Earl

[smokeonthewater]

nah you would just glass each half and glass the cross brace... after the halves are in, mix up some thick PB with some cut up glass in it and putty the joint... then butter up the cross brace n glue it up... shoot a couple screws in if desired to hold it in place till it sets

[earle]

Originally Posted by smokeonthewater

nah you would just glass each half and glass the cross brace... after the halves are in, mix up some thick PB with some cut up glass in it and putty the joint... then butter up the cross brace n glue it up... shoot a couple screws in if desired to hold it in place till it sets

Jeez, you know I actually thot of that, and then thot, nah, way to simple. Thank God for voice of experience. Left to my own device's I'd be trying to re-invent the wheel.

[SkunkBoat]

one way I found to glass upside down is to cover a piece of wood with clear packing tape. Neither epoxy nor poly sticks to packing tape! Glass your seam or use thickened as said above, then screw up the covered piece to hold it all in place. It will pop loose when the epoxy sets. Don't put the screws in epoxy!!! don't forget to use short screws...

[earle]

Well guy's, I made it back from Florida, fished out and eager to get back to the boat. Finished all the panels and they fit nicely. The bow section was to large to fit in one piece, so I made it in two sections and joined them with the cross braces. I glassed it as one piece and will cut it in two after it cures. I plan on installing them as two separate pieces initially, but will add jack braces to the existing ones where they are cut and then glass them over. Should help keep the original shape of the deck, I hope.
Once again, thanks for all the tips received.