April, 2014

The Floor Strengtheners... Continued

Last month, I managed to cut out all of the floor strengtheners. This month I started by fitting the floor strengtheners with a good dose of epoxy resin mixed with colloidal silica. To ensure good bonding and proper fitting, I used two Texas limestone rocks to hold the floor strengtheners down against the planks.

  

The floor strengtheners between the main space frame and the bow tanks have the most curvature and require the most downward pressure to secure them against the planks. The chopped rocks proved very useful although I was extremely careful not to drop them and damage the hull. 



Three coats of epoxy resin were applied to the floor strengtheners after fitting, with light sanding between coats.  

Next, I cut the centerboard 'tail' that finishes the top curvature of the centerboard past the aft space frame. Made of hardwood, the 'tail' extends about 12" from the aft space frame. To plot the curvature, I used an aluminum ruler against the centerboard to project and trace the curvature down the tail.




Then, using a band saw, I cut the piece. It was later fitted onto the hog and against the aft space frame using epoxy glue.

Two stringers are fitted between planks #3 and #4 in the section between the the main space frame and the aft space frame. One stringer on the starboard side, one on the port side. My stringers are approximately 24" long by 2.5" high and 0.5" thick. For the stringers, I used re-sawed hardwood left over from the king plank.

To cut the curvature of the plank along the bottom edge of the stringer, I placed the stock over the plank and next to the strengthener. Using a pencil, I traced the curvature of the strengthener (which is parallel to the plank) against the stock. Then, using the band saw, I cut the curve along the bottom edge of the stringer to obtain a perfect fit.

The Hazardous Zero-9 drawings call for two 25mm x 25mm hardwood pieces to be fitted at each side of the king plank, from the main deck frame intersection to its aft end. I cut the hardwood stock in two pieces for each side. One to fit from the main deck frame to the aft deck frame, the other to fit from the aft deck frame to the aft end.

Next, I fitted the platforms for the control line cleats on the thwart. The platforms are made of marine plywood and are approximately 12mm x 40mm x 12" in size. These the ones specified in the Hazardous Zero-9 drawings. Other arrangements can be made to suit the specific needs of a crew.

The starboard side platform for the control line cleats at the thwart.



The port side platform for the control line cleats at the thwart.

Before getting further ahead, I caught up with sanding and filleting the underside of the thwart and the cleats. For the filleting behind the cleats I used an ice cream stick with a rounded edge. If you don't have a stick handy, it is a great excuse to get an ice cream!

Using epoxy resin with colloidal silica, I fitted the two floor stringers I cut out earlier. The stringers are approximately 24" x 2.5" x 0.5"

I then fitted two floor platforms for the main sheet control hoop. One on the starboard side and one on the port side.

The platforms are approximately 4" x 2.5" x 0.5" cut from the same hardwood stock.

I also cut two cleat platforms for the main sheet hoop controls over the thwart. I will fit these later once I get the hoop stock and drill the holes on the thwart. 

And finally, I cut the centerboard cap that runs from the thwart, over the aft space frame, down to the end of the centerboard tail.

The cap in my boat is made of 6mm marine plywood. It is 90mm wide at the thwart and 50mm wide at the end.

The end of the centerboard cap was rounded to a 25mm radius and the edges were subsequently rounded off with a 0.25" quarter round carbide router bit prior to fitting.

I used 4 screws with temporary wood blocks to secure the cap flat and tight against the centerboard case during epoxy bonding.

Here she stands, almost ready for interior finish. Still need to fit the floor stringers to provide surface for the jib sheet tracks, and a couple other details I'll reveal next month.

Thank you for visiting my blog! Comments are welcome.

Fair winds and happy sailing!