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Nicholson58 · 04-09-2021, 09:23

I restored my 1968 Tornado hull #186 in 1988 when I found it. It was beat up including delaminated tops on both hulls. I also added aluminum backer plates behind all bolted on parts and added glass to the transoms. This spring I noticed Delamination again on the port hull. Finally got enough other projects cleared to attack this. It will get a new Maze & Blue epoxy paint job before it splashes.

Once again US Composites 635 THIN epoxy for the layup. 8.25 oz twill glass. I cut out the loose areas and pulled up loose balsa bricks. Sanded well back into the OK old glass. I soaked and reset the balsa and painted a lot of resin into the exposed balsa.

GO BLUE!

Spot · 05-09-2021, 15:42

Nice looking repair, team colors aside...

What temps were you in and what was your working time with the hardener used with the US Composites 635 THIN epoxy?

Nicholson58 · 05-09-2021, 16:58

Cool day, 70s in Traverse City, Michigan, working time is at least four hours. Low viscosity, excellent wet out. Zero blush so the next coat is easy. My go-to resin.

Chotu · 05-09-2021, 17:17

I’m fascinated with these boats because I know my boat is based upon a modified version of these hulls.

This was basically the starting point for the design of my Catamaran.

I hope we get to see it in action soon.

Nicholson58 · 05-09-2021, 18:34

A coupl of years ago.

Spot · 06-09-2021, 11:17

I know little catamarans are supposed to go fast...but that picture with the mast and the still water and fog is incredible.

Nicholson58 · 06-09-2021, 17:20

Next coat.

US Composite 635 THIN epoxy blended with 3M micro balloons. It looks like Kraft marshmallow cream, about as dense, sandable. Spread this stuff like body bondo.

Did I mention that the epoxy can be scrubbed off with liquid soap and water as long as it has not begun to react?

Chotu · 06-09-2021, 17:38

Thanks for posting the pics. That’s a very special boat you have there.

Nicholson58 · 06-09-2021, 17:51

It’s truly the fastest sail ride I’ve ever had. I sailed it once years ago in a very strong blow. It was a downwind run requiring jibes. This was back when the sail plan was pre-spinnaker and smaller main. I had aboard My daughter, a young guy with his eye on her and a #320 weight lifter as rail meat, single trapeze. I ran each jibe to a lee behind an island or point. In the open, the rudders left a trailing slot about three boat lengths (30 ft) behind and the hulls were planing. There was a rooster tail where the rudders had been. I estimated 30 knots.

I’m so glad I added backer plates inside the hulls for everything.

Nicholson58 · 16-09-2021, 10:34

I long boarded and then added more epoxy with micro balloons. Sanded to 120 and applied top side urethane. It was an unopened 40 year old can of the original We$t Marine Navy Blue. Took forever to stir. After it dries I’ll check the color match and finish. I may need to do the rest of the hull top. It looks a bit brighter than the old paint.

I have also located bright gloss Yellow highway paint. It’s water based two part Rustoleum epoxy and claims high gloss and durability. The original yellow was also two part epoxy highway paint but not water based. It has been exceptionally durable.

My neighbor came over to see the project and I wound up volunteering to help him repair the hulls and deck of his very old peddle-boat. One hull has terrible dry glass with voids. It was leaking and split along parts of the keel. It’s all sanded and first layer of glass applied. We are having fun now.

I added a pipe frame support to keep it upright. This worked well. The cap pipe and two Ells is a glued assembly but not glued to the uprights.

I hope my electric drill motor will go through the ports so I can relocate the mountings for the hardware.

Nicholson58 · 27-09-2021, 14:22

I finished the top. Not perfect but you won’t notice as I zip past.

I also got involved with my neighbor’s peddle boat. New ‘keel’ layers on each hull and all of the dinks filled.

I couldn’t help myself on the way home today. A neighbor why down the road has an old monohull last tagged in 1986. They were ini the driveway so I asked about it. Oh boy! A FREE BOAT! It was ‘dad’s’ that he raced on the lake. Turns out I used to run the Tornado with the old guys 30 years ago as they raced around the lake. I now have a very old Rebel that needs a lot. So, I’m fixing up the very old Sunfish to go.