Another 25 Seafari goes under the knife

[Blue_Heron]

That's a cool picture, Nestor. I think the closest I ever got to an F-4 was building a model of one when I was a kid. Thanks for serving. That was an era when armed service was a thankless job without much support from home.
Dave

[nestorpr]

Thanks Dave, those were some of my best times ever, it's a hell of a feeling going thru the air like a bat out of hell and get paid for it! They say the Phantom was living proof that with enough power even a brick could fly but to me she was a beautiful beast, heavy, strong and powerful.

By the way, that boat is looking great already, can't wait for you to finish it.

[SBD]

Looking really great!

[Blue_Heron]

Thanks, Sean. Your Radoncraft is coming along nicely, too. I also want to thank you for posting a link to your "Shiny Hiney" blog a while back. I changed my strategy on painting the bottom and opted for gelcoat and Duratech clear gloss additive instead. Your info got me pointed in that direction.

Also, thanks to Erich who came out and helped out with some detail sanding last Saturday.



I ended up going with the gelcoat/Duratech on the bottom for several reasons. It should be easier to repair scratches, It should hold up below the waterline, and it's considerably less expensive than the available paint options. My first thought was that I would like to spray some gelcoat along the keel so scratches in the paint wouldn't be so obvious, but it went on so nicely, I decided to do the whole bottom. The finish looks good, so as long as it doesn't crack or blister, it should be good. I've done the port side, but still have to finish sanding/fairing the starboard side and hopefully shoot it next weekend.




Later,
Dave

[Blue_Heron]

I sprayed the other side of the hull bottom with gelcoat this weekend. Pollen season is in full swing here, so leaving the shop doors open wasn't an option. Bought some filter media and 2x4s and converted the shop into a spray booth.








The gelcoat went on nice.





Dave

[Blue_Heron]

I also made some hatch covers for my cooler/battery box.

Mold parts



Molds made up and sprayed with lacquer then PVA



The layup



And the parts





I'm still struggling with alligatoring in my gelcoat. You can see it at its worst on the piece on the left end. I'm sure it's not the oil from the clay fillets because the PVA coverage is complete. I've been using four or five coats. I tried laying up a layer of mat after the gelcoat kicked with the intent of leaving it overnight before completing the layup, but it alligatored under the mat. I suspect I'm not putting the gelcoat on thick enough. I'm spraying, and getting full coverage, but the areas that alligatored look like the gelcoat is pretty thin.

If anyone can give me any guidance, I'd apprecaite it. Other than the alligatoring, I'm very happy with how the parts are turning out. I need to get this solved before I lay up my fish box and live well like strick's.

Dave

[SBD]

Everything looks awesome...you and Strick are giving me major shop envy.

[Blue_Heron]

Everything looks awesome...you and Strick are giving me major shop envy.

Thanks, Sean. I couldn't do half of this stuff if I didn't have a shop to work in. I'm too old to work under a shelter in the yard. My hat's off to the guys that can pull that off.

I shot some Awlgrip today. Thanks to strick for providing pointers over the phone. Chuck, you were right; that stuff is sweet to spray. I got full coverage on the fourth pass.



Sean, now I've got a shiney hiney, too



Dave

[Mahi54]

Nice work and good job on your dolly. Your shop is awesome!

Looking Good Dave....Nice work....Rob

[floorboy]

Nice work!

What is all involved in rolling that pig over on its side? Mine is only a 23 but I would be pretty worried about trying that.