A few days ago we managed to glue and screw on the final hull panels, including the second bottom panels.
We used a great deal of “peanut butter” density epoxy mix for fixing the panels on. As we had previously dry fitted the panels and left them in place for a good while they all went back on again relatively easily when we were gluing.
We used the Gorilla Polyurethane Glue to fix the second bottom panel. As its activated with water we dampened one of the two bonding surfaces before gluing. We bought 2 Litres to use and used it all. When you pour it out it has a thick treacle look and texture, but smooths over the panel well. We had plenty of time to get the panels in place and screwed down before it really started to activate and tack down. Initially we hoped to get away with smaller screws, 16mm, to pull the two bottom panels together. We would have preferred not to have fully penetrated to first bottom panel. However these screws were not sufficient and we had to use M4 30mm screws in the end. Success. Plenty of glue ooze coming out of the sides.
We did out best to clean-up all of the excess glue. However it was late in the day when we finished so when we returned in the morning there was plenty of excess glue to remove. Its not easy to get off. In the end we found that a Rasp was the best thing to use. It lifted the glue off well and with careful use we didn’t score the plywood.
With huge relief the screws came out of the bottom panels well. We were slightly nervous as when you screw into epoxy its very hit and miss if you can get a screw out again. We didn’t have that problem this time.
The last couple of days have been filling the bottom holes and sanding down the hull.
We have also mounted the Stem Cap. We were a little uncertain how it should be fitted. The drawings are not clear on what height it should be fixed at. After watching the CNC kit video several times we decided that it looked like it should be fixed at a height to received the top deck panels. i.e these panels butt up to the stem cap rather than sit on top of it. To be honest I don’t know if this is right, but it seemed to make sense to me.
This meant we could not get the radius of 60mm on the bow round that Dan Tuck has managed. However he has built from first principles not from a kit. Our radius is a good bit larger than his, nearer 170mm. However its still in front of the knee and there should still be plenty of structure to protect the boat in case we hit something just below the surface. And in any case I intend to put a little more protection inside the bow when I turn it over. Plus plenty of fibre glass too!
So now just a little more final tidying, shaping and cleaning……and then fibre glass. As Dan suggested it will be good to move onto something new. I think my sander has taken up the shape of my hand!
But…..oh boy does it look like a boat!
Pete's Class 5.80 Build Blog 