Refitting a Compass 47

[minaret]

Lol, yeah I figgered. Era of the iPad and all that.

[cpa]

I had a few hours before work to get some stuff done. Finished putting the forward stateroom back together, well all but two pieces of trim. I think it needs another coat of varnish though. I have three days of heavy work and will get back on the project Monday. I will admit I am still riding high from the 5 minutes of boat moving.

[cpa]

Today I finished installing the trim in the forward stateroom and then moved everything down below for the next stage of the project. We are about to begin re-gel coating the port side decks and the cabin top.

The nice thing about the Compass is that the builder used only two types of fasteners for everything joinery related; that makes it really easy to keep track of them. They all go into the same bucket. Once I had moved all the supplies and had access to the areas of the boat I began disassembling the cabinets to facilitate the removal of the stanchions and genoa track. Then I went ahead and removed the old A/C and refrigeration unit that was built into the galley. Then out came the crusty old microwave.

Here are some pictures of the work so far.

[cpa]

Once we get the the deck hardware stripped we will start the fairing process. On the starboard side of the cabin top, it came out looking pretty good. For the rest of the boat I would like it to be as close to prefect as possible.

We have been sanding with my random orbital and then following up with a small hand block. I was thinking about getting one of those fancy fairing boards. Does anyone have any suggestions on a decent and reasonably priced one. After the bottom job and re-power the finances are in the red.

[cpa]

Another view of the motor starting. We now have a total of 2 hours on her.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by cpa

Today I finished installing the trim in the forward stateroom and then moved everything down below for the next stage of the project. We are about to begin re-gel coating the port side decks and the cabin top.

The nice thing about the Compass is that the builder used only two types of fasteners for everything joinery related; that makes it really easy to keep track of them. They all go into the same bucket. Once I had moved all the supplies and had access to the areas of the boat I began disassembling the cabinets to facilitate the removal of the stanchions and genoa track. Then I went ahead and removed the old A/C and refrigeration unit that was built into the galley. Then out came the crusty old microwave.

Here are some pictures of the work so far.

Now you're getting serious! Sounds like you're removing all deck hardware. Are you shooting new gel? I'm doing quite a bit myself. Gel is so much better than paint to me. Can't wait to see your shoot!

[minaret]

Originally Posted by cpa

Once we get the the deck hardware stripped we will start the fairing process. On the starboard side of the cabin top, it came out looking pretty good. For the rest of the boat I would like it to be as close to prefect as possible.

We have been sanding with my random orbital and then following up with a small hand block. I was thinking about getting one of those fancy fairing boards. Does anyone have any suggestions on a decent and reasonably priced one. After the bottom job and re-power the finances are in the red.

Super budget-

17" x 2-3/4" Sanding Board : Amazon.com : Automotive



The old stand by for rigid boards. I prefer Stikit to Hookit.


Amazon.com: 3M HOOKIT HAND FILE 5744 05744 Hook It Long Board Sander: Everything Else



Cheap flexi board-


Flexible Sanding Board : Amazon.com : Automotive



These are totally awesome, huge bang for the buck. If you buy only one thing for fairing, I recommend it be this set. Add the teardrop for an even better kit for cheap.


DuraBlock Sanders AF44L 7 pc DURABLOC KIT DURA-BLOCK SANDING PRODUCTS : Amazon.com : Automotive

[cpa]

Originally Posted by minaret

Now you're getting serious! Sounds like you're removing all deck hardware. Are you shooting new gel? I'm doing quite a bit myself. Gel is so much better than paint to me. Can't wait to see your shoot!

I wish I were shooting. We have to roll it and then sand. I am using brushable gel coat and patch booster in the last coat. I am having a hard time getting it on thick enough, so I am attempting to do it in two stages, with sanding in between.

Stage one: I roll on 3 coats followed by a coat with the patch booster and then sand after a few days.

Stage two: Roll on another 4 coats (final w/patch) then heavy sand to 1000 and polish/wax.

All I know about gel coat is what I have read on the 'net and what the guy at fiberglass coatings here in St. Petersburg told me. If you have any pointers I would love to hear them.

I like working with gel coat and I am not a great painter, so the ability to sand and buff out my mistakes is appreciated. My last boat had a new all-over paint job when I acquired her, and every scratch on it killed me. Repairs will now be a snap. I just wish that the the hull was not painted over. I would love to gel coat there, too.

[minaret]

Why no shooting? Is it the marina you're in? The way you are doing it is a nightmare, it'll take four times as long like that. Please let me help you here, gelcoat is my thing. You certain you can't shoot? You can gear up for pretty cheap if you are only doing a section at a time. Depending on how much boat you're doing a $50 gun and a few compressor rentals will save you loads of time. I can talk you through it even if you've never shot anything before.


Which patch booster are you using? Is it Cobalt? No surface seal? Or is it in the booster?


My color matching cart. I've matched many hundreds of gallons off it. I shoot a whole lot of gel. Used to run a spray booth at a large industrial facility too, shooting production gel.

[Cherp]

Minaret...are you talking about spray-painting gelcoat?

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Cherp

Minaret...are you talking about spray-painting gelcoat?

Sure, of course.

[cpa]

Originally Posted by minaret

Why no shooting? Is it the marina you're in? The way you are doing it is a nightmare, it'll take four times as long like that. Please let me help you here, gelcoat is my thing. You certain you can't shoot? You can gear up for pretty cheap if you are only doing a section at a time. Depending on how much boat you're doing a $50 gun and a few compressor rentals will save you loads of time. I can talk you through it even if you've never shot anything before.


Which patch booster are you using? Is it Cobalt? No surface seal? Or is it in the booster?


My color matching cart. I've matched many hundreds of gallons off it. I shoot a whole lot of gel. Used to run a spray booth at a large industrial facility too, shooting production gel.

I will find out what batch booster I am using today when I am at the boat. I have had some bad experiences trying to spray paint through a gun. But, I would love to learn how with gel coat. Is it easier to spray than paint?

[minaret]

Originally Posted by cpa

I will find out what batch booster I am using today when I am at the boat. I have had some bad experiences trying to spray paint through a gun. But, I would love to learn how with gel coat. Is it easier to spray than paint?

Yes and no. It's different. Of course getting a great finish is not paramount, since you will be wet sanding and buffing it anyway. So if that was your problem shooting paint, you don't have to worry about some peel here. Rolling on eight coats to get a finish is madness. I bet you have to sand off at least half of what you put on. Prep it, squirt on three coats heavy, wet sand and buff, and you're done.

[boatless 4 now]

I would love to have a step by step run down of shooting gel coat. Can you do a video or two explaining the whole process? I too have only what I have read on the net to go by, any real world video would help us all. Thanks

[cpa]

Originally Posted by minaret

Yes and no. It's different. Of course getting a great finish is not paramount, since you will be wet sanding and buffing it anyway. So if that was your problem shooting paint, you don't have to worry about some peel here. Rolling on eight coats to get a finish is madness. I bet you have to sand off at least half of what you put on. Prep it, squirt on three coats heavy, wet sand and buff, and you're done.

That does sound a lot better. I think I might give it a go. I am heading back to the boat after a nice lunch. Thanks for all the help.