Day 17: Fiberglassing the Thwarts

Spent my first day alone with the boat. The epoxy takes twice as long to do by one's self. Still managed to get a bunch of glasswork done. It would be interesting to add up all the surface area on a boat like this. I have new appreciation for this factor after working with all the cutouts allday.

Spent the first half of the day cutting the glass for both sides of all the cut-outs:

The aft thwart for the rear cross

Rear passenger seat

Forward passenger seat & back rest

Boatman's raised floor and partitions for the side hatches

Shelves for the side hatches

Did some experimenting with the side hatch partition and the epoxy. I mixed in a small amount of microballoons into the epoxy. I'm wondering how it will effect the finished feel. Maybe a little more fair than usual? I girl can dream.

Day 16: Thwart Height Additions

Today Dad headed into the city after the work day. We readied some projects for me to get done before he gets back next week.

The shop continues to be great. We cranked the heat up to medium-low to cure some epoxy glue and the space heated up great.

Pic of the height additions to the front cross aft bulkhead and the front passenger seat. (Lonnie, I know you're shaking your head right now!)

Prepped the shop and the cut outs from the other day to get glassed up tomorrow.

Day 7: Hull fiberglassing

Dad and I sport our fabulous glassing outfits.

We all had a long day wearing a respirator but it was worth it. With 3 people the glassing of the hull went smoothly.

First thing this morning we cut the glass this morning and went straight to it.

We wetted out the 17oz biaxial cloth on the bottom.

Next was the 6oz on the sides.

Then 9oz on the bottom.

Then 6oz halfway up the sides.

A final 6oz on the bottom.

Next came the 6oz tape; 6", 3", 2" on the chine, transom and bowpost.

Now the waiting game until a good cure. Next step will be to pop it off the mold. We have our fingers crossed!!