Finishing Up Stay Bulkheads

I needed to seal the exposed "endgrain" of all the laminated layers.  I decided to try using a slit section of carbon sleeve.  The knit sleeves tend to wrap nicely around corners.

Here is a shot of the wet-out carbon which took the shape pretty well.

I then layed the final covering layer of cloth over the edge of the sleeve.

These pictures show the final coat after un-bagging.  There is a little bit of print through from the sleeve edge.  Those two laminations should probably be done separately, so that the fringe of sleeve can be sanded flush.

These bulkheads are about done, though they will need urethane coating for UV protection where they are exposed above the deck.

Task time: 5 hours

Total project time: 309 hours

Fairing Stay Bulkheads

I decided I would fair in the cplate braces on the fore/aft stay bulkheads.  This would give it a little more finished look.  I added small strips of divinycell along the edges.

You can also see a flaw on the line to the left.  This was caused by using a piece of peel ply with a crease in it.  If you buy West System peel ply, get it bulk in rolls, not folded in bags.  Fiberglass Supply has a similar product in rolls.  It is impossible to get the creases to lay flat.

Once the epoxy was set, I sanded a bevel onto the foam.

There will be one light, cosmetic layer of carbon over the top.

Task time: 2 hours

Total project time: 304 hours

Q-Tip Test

When can you apply a hot coat of epoxy?  When must you sand before another coat?  Nick Schade, a noted kayak builder, has a simple test.

Nick has a many more useful building videos.

Video Showing Shunting

Harryproa, the Atlantic proa people,  have put up a nice video showing shunting.  This a maneuver that is difficult for some people to visualize.

Bucket List is a new Harry design for a minimalist offshore racer.  They have an interesting idea of chartering them for famous offshore races allowing sailors to affordably compete in events that might be on their bucket list.

Carbon Work on Forestay Attachment

The fore/back stays are anchored on dedicated bulkheads which are strengthened with a combination of carbon plate and woven cloth.  There are three layers of cloth per side and then the cplate goes on. I believe the cplate was 18 layers making a total of 42 layers of reenforcement for the chainplates.

General Layout

Plate over carbon.  The nails act as locators.  Once glue has been applied the pieces are like a greased pig, so the nails allow you to find the proper position.

Plate faired and bagged.

Task time: 8 hours

Total project time: 302 hours