Nauticat 52 Refit

[Saltyhog]

Originally Posted by minaret

This stuff-MDF with melamine. Black is best, don't use white if you can avoid it, although it is usually easiest to find. The reason is that its easier to see air bubbles in the layup on black, that's why all industrial molds are built with black tooling gelcoat. But for a quick 4'x4' piece you could forgo all the embellishments like a strongback, black color, etc. Just get 1/2 a sheet of whatever color MDF with melamine in a thicker thickness, like 1". It'll be plenty flat, the thick stuff is very dimensionally stable. Use any marine paste wax for release if you can't get Partall. Any glass or resin system will do, whatever's handy. If you make 3/8" plate with 3-4 biax and/or roving layers in it and the rest matt, it'll be super strong.


Thanks for being one of the very few who follow my refit thread.

I've been following this from the beginning. It's a bit like trying to drink from a fire hose. There's a lot of information being given here. A lot of it is hard won I'm sure. I appreciate the time it takes to put it here. I'm learning a *LOT*. I can't say that I'll ever tackle a project like some here, but I know I can apply pieces of it to the projects I will do. I already have.

[senormechanico]

I've been following this thread as well every time I log on to CF, and I've learned a lot.

Thanks!

[minaret]

Originally Posted by SVTatia

Very cool - a bit easier than initially thought. Thanks for this.
Always keeping an eye on your amazing work. Hats off to you man.

Yes, can be very simple. I only use expensive G10 where it's structural qualities are actually needed. What are your backing plates for? Just wanted to clarify. For a big boat windlass or other heavy gear, definitely 1/2" or more, sometimes a lot more. A big 3/8" plate and thru bolts with fender washers is pretty beefy though. Have you considered methacrylate for bonding plates?

[minaret]

Originally Posted by jgbrown

I think there's lots of people following it! One of the most interesting threads,I check in every few days.

Thank you, and thanks for posting.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Exile

I'm following it! It's just that I often forget to wear my helmet on account of all the info going right over my head!

Lol! I know you are a devoted fan of the project, Exile!


Keep the helmet off, maybe some of the info will penetrate!

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Saltyhog

I've been following this from the beginning. It's a bit like trying to drink from a fire hose. There's a lot of information being given here. A lot of it is hard won I'm sure. I appreciate the time it takes to put it here. I'm learning a *LOT*. I can't say that I'll ever tackle a project like some here, but I know I can apply pieces of it to the projects I will do. I already have.

That pleases me. I'm trying to give more info, but it's difficult when no one else is posting. I don't know if I'm being too technical and it's going over people's heads, or too simple. I try but I'm not a good photographer and my viewpoint is probably totally skewed by spending the last couple decades living in boatyards and construction facilities. I'm always surprised that this thread has already hit almost 20k views, but very few people post here. Perhaps when I start posting pics of some of the later cosmetic work people will have more questions about what I'm doing. I'll get around to it soon, it's going well.

Hope any info you may have gleaned from me has worked out well for you, and always feel free to ask away if you have any questions. Thanks for posting!

[minaret]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

I've been following this thread as well every time I log on to CF, and I've learned a lot.

Thanks!

Thanks Steve! Hope we'll see you in the islands this summer. Last chance!

[madtart]

Awesome thread! Very inspiring, I just stayed up past my bedtime on a school night to read all 42 pages. What is the tool you showed on 459? Keep up the stellar work!

[minaret]

Originally Posted by madtart

Awesome thread! Very inspiring, I just stayed up past my bedtime on a school night to read all 42 pages. What is the tool you showed on 459? Keep up the stellar work!

Nice! Teacher or student?


I was hoping one of the pros around here would recognize that one, but it's been quite awhile now. I suppose it's just too arcane a piece of equipment for the average user to ever have seen. I guess you know its true when you google it and one of the few references you find is on Tool Snob! So I'll spill the beans, this being the sort of stuff my dreams are made of. It's Milwaukees (fairly) new cordless ProPEX expansion tool. I have a secret M12 fetish, I buy everything in the series. The cordless detail sander blows a corded Fein saw away! Hackzawl is amazing! Etc. etc. Totally worth the vast sums of money they charge.



Milwaukee M12 Cordless ProPEX Expansion Tool | Tool Snob - ToolSnob.com

[minaret]

YouTube



Factory reps in this video are totally baked!

[minaret]

The Westsail 32 about to be striped.

[minaret]

Paint'll look nicer once it's had a few days to tighten up. Not bad though.

[minaret]

This is Awlcraft. Not as nice as the true Awlgrip, but still pretty nice.

[minaret]

Decks.

[bobconnie]

Minaret, Fella ya know Ive been working on boats for a Long time !! LOL but Ive learned more from this thread then I ever would have thought was possible! And I thank you for that ! Glass is really sorta new to me, so what you have put before me, will really help me to do a better job on my boat ! Thanks again !!