1978 SF restoration, my first one.....

[wtenglish]

IslandTrader,

I didn't have a reason other than I thought it would be easier to reuse the molds that way. They will take another layer or two of matt to tie them into the gunnels and hull sides. I am encouraged that I only have the forward deck and two hatches to build before I am out of the fabrication business. You are correct as I am resigned to the fact that I will probably have a couple weeks of sanding and fairing at a minimum.

[Islandtrader]

I didn't have a reason other than I thought it would be easier to reuse the molds that way.

Just a FYI you can use female molds over and over also. The main advantage is that your outer surface comes out smooth. Take a look at your inside of your part that you popped. Much smoother than the outside I would guess.

Now that you have resigned yourself to sanding and fairing (like I had to do) take a look at the web site posted. This is the product that I used and believe me it really works and cuts down on sanding time and major fairing. You can buy here in Florida...if interested I will give you the sellers number.


ProSeal

[wtenglish]

After getting the gunnel supports set in placed and tabbed to the hull I went ahead and cut the openings for the hatches that will be on either side of the bow.



The front of the forward gunnel supports didn't line up perfectly with the storage area so I raised the top cap to glass the inside of the support to the edge of inner liner. Hopefully this will ensure nothing would find a crack in the storage area and rattle around the hull.



Also tabbed the inside of the support to the hull with three layers of biax for support.



After that was done I glassed the top cap to the supports. I ground down the gel coat to make a better transition. I used a strip of biax at the seam and a top layer of matt.



Also glassed the last portion of the transom cap in the needed to be built up to match.

[wtenglish]

Started building my foreward deck mold yesterday. Using my work table a a base. It wasn't wide enough so I added the 2 x 4's to support the hardi board.



Hardi board installed. I moved the mold into my garage. With rain almost every afternoon I didn't want to worry about warping.



Framing out for the hatch.



Wax and PVA. Will probably apply one more coat of PVA.

[Islandtrader]

I know you are getting close to be out of the part making business (I think I am out of the business ).

One tool that I found to really ease the PVA application is a Touch Up Sprayer. These can be had for about $15.00. Really no mess and easy to clean up. PVA comes out real smooth.





Keep up the progress.

[wtenglish]

IslandTrader, the pic was taken right after application and it did smooth out some. Having said that, the heat was brutal and could have used some help in the layup.

Mold before layup.



2 layers of matt
1 layer of biax
1 layer of roven

This is after the layup.



I'm still trying to get the hang of the polyester resin.

Several hours later. Some of the sculpting clay actually was "baked" from the heat put of from the resin. Some clean up to do but once it's cored should be fine.

[Islandtrader]

IslandTrader, the heat was brutal and could have used some help in the layup.

I know what you mean. When the heat index is over 105 all you want to do is melt [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

If you were closer I sure would of given you some help.

[wtenglish]

Thanks IslandTrader. At least someone to hand me a beer!

Formed up the two hatches.



Laid up



They turned out pretty good. I must have neglected to photo them when I popped out of the mold so it will have to wait till Monday. Gotta go check on my deer this weekend!

[wtenglish]

Motivation has been hard to come by lately. However, I feel the need to press on.

These are the hatches after they were removed from the molds.



Coring of the forward deck with divinycell. I used a double layer of 1/2" to achieve the thickness I needed. Probably would have been better to use one layer of 1" but I had the extra laying around and funds for this project have been tight as of late.



Coring glassed with Woven Roven.



Dry fit.



For any of you deer hunters out there. Some trail cam pics from Jefferson Co. Georgia.

[Old'sCool]

Cool deer pics. 3:49 am, they know when to walk.