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I decided to install the bottom of the hull in three sections. We had 10' sheets of plywood but either way the joint came in at the hull break. The length of this hydroplane is 19'. I flow coated the back of all the plywood first with a sanding sealer to smooth out the rough spots. I installed the rear sheet, about 6' long, first. Using a slow hardener, I barely had enough time to get all surfaces coated before the resin started getting too sticky to bond well.
The next sheet was a full sized
one and posed the intimidating problem of how to get all the surfaces coated
in time. Wasted quite a bit of time thinking about a solution.
Finally.......went with an extra slow hardener, turned the heat off in
the shop and got a gang together. It went well, the only problem was not
being able to clean up the squeeze out.
The nose shown here after notching
out for the sponson shear, went on without a hitch.
Sanding, sanding, and more
sanding. Plugged all the staple holes with resin mixed with plywood sawdust.
I blocked sanded down some
variations at the seams. On one particular high spot, I used the belt (gouge)
sander......never again!!! Continued on using only elbow grease. After
the sanding work was completed, I applied two coats of resin to all surfaces
after sucking up all the dust and wiping down with a tack cloth.
This has been the hold up, no sponson design that reflects those on the boat in 1968. We are working to resolve this, hopefully after the first of the year. So...currently the plan is to clean up the inside, install engine compartment hardware, lifting rings, and transom/strut/rudder supports. ©2001 Jack Hines |
Gathered up the gang again and lifted the hull off its fixture and carried
it outside. We built temporary supports on the jig to support the afterplane,
carried the boat back in and set her down. Other supports were fitted to
hold up the nose. We made everything for temporary use because the hull
will have to be turned again to build the sponsons.
