3 years ago i made some mods, mostly at the main hull and the floor. I didn't make the akas as i planned and some more mods and details.
Now it's time to make this step, in order to sell the boat and deliver it in a really sharp condition.
First of all i have to move the boat to the old workspace and this was really tricky to do. Then i organize the workshop and the materials are ordered.
The priority for me is safety, so i must to inspect the whole boat for soft spots and wick areas. I sanded down the akas cause of some sign of moisture on them. I find indeed some moisture and cracks on wood and immediately i deside to restore 'em with thicken epoxy and microfibers. The next days i put 2 more coats of thin epoxy first and thicken with glass bubbles next.
I cut the 2 hatches near the DB trunk, to remake the fillets and paint the interior.
Then i have to create new bolt holes at the akas with aluminum inserts. Also a motor mount must to be install, so i use my old inox tube (ex hinges) for it, cause is strong and fits perfectly.
Another big deal was the rudder blade...it was totally destroyed and thre was no second thought than create a new one. The choice i made was to make a ligher, stronger and more durable blade, so lamination was the way to go. I cut the shape of 0012 naca foil in a 15mm. marine ply (used as core), and then i laminate two layers of UD 520 fiberglass and stabilized carbon fiber. The process was via vscuum bagging for strenght and lightness, After a week of lamination and curing in my oven, i start to sand up to 1000 grit finish.
The next step was to beef up the akas. My first thought was to use UD fiberglass - epoxy, but after a lot of study, i ended up with stabilized carbon fiber. I precut the fabric and prepreg them. Then with release membrane and stretch film i place them at the bottom half of the akas and wait for curing.
Unfortunately, the weather is not in my side and the temperature and humidity are far from ideal, but im running out of time.
Now it's time to make this step, in order to sell the boat and deliver it in a really sharp condition.
First of all i have to move the boat to the old workspace and this was really tricky to do. Then i organize the workshop and the materials are ordered.
The priority for me is safety, so i must to inspect the whole boat for soft spots and wick areas. I sanded down the akas cause of some sign of moisture on them. I find indeed some moisture and cracks on wood and immediately i deside to restore 'em with thicken epoxy and microfibers. The next days i put 2 more coats of thin epoxy first and thicken with glass bubbles next.
I cut the 2 hatches near the DB trunk, to remake the fillets and paint the interior.
Then i have to create new bolt holes at the akas with aluminum inserts. Also a motor mount must to be install, so i use my old inox tube (ex hinges) for it, cause is strong and fits perfectly.
Another big deal was the rudder blade...it was totally destroyed and thre was no second thought than create a new one. The choice i made was to make a ligher, stronger and more durable blade, so lamination was the way to go. I cut the shape of 0012 naca foil in a 15mm. marine ply (used as core), and then i laminate two layers of UD 520 fiberglass and stabilized carbon fiber. The process was via vscuum bagging for strenght and lightness, After a week of lamination and curing in my oven, i start to sand up to 1000 grit finish.
The next step was to beef up the akas. My first thought was to use UD fiberglass - epoxy, but after a lot of study, i ended up with stabilized carbon fiber. I precut the fabric and prepreg them. Then with release membrane and stretch film i place them at the bottom half of the akas and wait for curing.
Unfortunately, the weather is not in my side and the temperature and humidity are far from ideal, but im running out of time.
