"Save The Manatee "

[archbuilder]

I did Miss Morgans in the boat, worked out pretty good. I kind of toyed with that idea on the forward bulkhead for fuggly, but the access wasn't that good, and I wondered if I could get the foam form out of the bottom. Of the two methods, I think I liked the in-place approach better.....seems like it went faster.

 

[sphelps]

The skin popped up with no problem .. The side that was facing down on the door was so slick I may need to rough it up for better adhesion ...

Pretty decent fit .. Close enough for a backyard boat tinkerer ..

Looking at the stringers the way they were installed it had 1 center stringer and just 1 on each side of the center .. The small outside ones were not set parallel to the center one .. It was further apart at the bow than at the stern .. Can ya think of any reason why I can't just keep them parallel down the hull ? There not riding on a chine or anything .. I would much rather keep them straight ..

 

[Woodonglass]

How much further apart??

 

[sphelps]

Hard to tell from this pic but about 3"

 

[sphelps]

 

[sphelps]

Maybe they did it to keep the smaller stringers as tall as they could for strength ..

 

[zool]

Looks like they follow the outer hull sides, the bow is wider than the stern?

 

[Woodonglass]

Yeah I kinda agree with Zool. Looks like the Bow may have a bit of a Flair to it??

 

[sphelps]

Looks like they follow the outer hull sides, the bow is wider than the stern?

Only by about 1" or so ...

 

[jbcurt00]

The stringers look to be the same height from transom to bow. Since the bow is deep and the stern is flatter and shallow, the stringers needed to be angled outward like that to be in contact w/ both the hull and back side of the deck...... which also seems to pitch the deck towards the stern so that any water that lands on the deck, heads for the back when on the trailer.

 

[gm280]

Okay, I see you did get the skin to pop off the table without issue. :thumb: I was thinking about the wax issue for future layouts like that. If you do use a wax or even a release agent, you will then have to use something to remove any of that residue that remains on the newly made skin before using it. I guess MEK, Acetone, or even Lacquer Thinner could do that nicely. IDK :noidea: being how I never tried it myself...yet! How firm is that new skin now? I was wondering if it was flimsy or pretty stiff. Never seeing anybody do that before, it is interesting to see... Learn something new ever day. Thanks for the lesson... :thumb: :thumb:

 

[gm280]

sphelps, I have a wondering question about 1708. When I cut and use 1708 and poly it in place, the fibers in that material seem to stand up or out instead of laying down on the edges. Do you have that same issue? I use a carpet type knife to cut all my fiberglass material because it is so sharp and cuts clean straight lines all the time. But those 1708 fibers on the edges are an issue that after cured I have to feather out because they are so prickly. Just wondering... :noidea:

 

[sphelps]

Gm, I think all you can do is baby sit it a while and keep rolling the edges down until it starts to kick ..
The grinder will have to take it from there ..
This is my first time using any bi-axle .
I'm using 1808 . It's just a tad thicker than 1708 and the weave is at 90 deg angle instead of 45 deg ..
The new skin is pretty ridged but will still flex .
I may put at least 1 maybe 2 more layers after the pour . Maybe overkill idk ..

 

[kcassells]

Sam that glass form and technique was pretty nice!! GM if your around while the glass in nearly set up you can run a razor knife along the top and knock off the points.

 

[sphelps]

Every now and then a swim ladder advertizement shows up on the side bar of the forum . It slides into the transom when not in use . I have looked for it many times on the web but can't find it . Anyone know of a link for it ? Garlick I think ..

 

[gm280]

Gm, I think all you can do is baby sit it a while and keep rolling the edges down until it starts to kick ..
The grinder will have to take it from there ..
This is my first time using any bi-axle .
I'm using 1808 . It's just a tad thicker than 1708 and the weave is at 90 deg angle instead of 45 deg ..
The new skin is pretty ridged but will still flex .
I may put at least 1 maybe 2 more layers after the pour . Maybe overkill idk ..

Yea the grinder has taken care of those really sharp fibers sticking up after the poly cured. I was just wondering if it was only me... I guess not. I am still learning daily. But when you poke your fingers, the lesson doesn't take very long to set in... Pain is a wonderful teacher! :facepalm:

 

[Woodonglass]

Every now and then a swim ladder advertizement shows up on the side bar of the forum . It slides into the transom when not in use . I have looked for it many times on the web but can't find it . Anyone know of a link for it ? Garlick I think ..

Here's their link...http://www.garelick.com/Transom-Boarding-Ladders

 

[sphelps]

I saw that but they don't have the one listed that I was looking for .. It actually recesses into the transom up under the gunwale cap .. It pulls straight out and folds down into the water then the steps fold down on either side of like a center pole . Prolly out of my price range but really cool . !

 

[Woodonglass]

Well, Alrighty then...Your wish is my command...http://www.w h o l e s a l e m a r I n e.com/garelick-compact-eez-in-ii-transom-ladder.html?utm_medium=cse&utm_source=bing

 

[sphelps]

You da man Woody ! 189 bucks .. Not to terrible .. I,ll have to see if iboats carries them .. Thinking a little pre-planning for a ladder . Not that I plan on doing a lot of swimming from the manatee but just in case . This one tucks out of the way of fishing lines and such ..
Bingo ! http://www.iboats.com/Garelick-Compact-Eez-In-II-Transom-Ladder/dm/cart_id.462888861--view_id.713460