Adding second fabric layer

Today we finished the part of the transom that was causing us some worry and glued it well in place without any air bubbles. Then we placed a strip of 200g/m2 fiberglass onto it. Then we had a long process of sanding and vacuum cleaning everything to remove dust from every nook and cranny. Then we proceeded to add two large sheets of fiberglass onto the hull. It is still 200g/m2 fiber as we had already placed 400g/m2 fiber a few days back.

We used a bigger syringe to measure out amounts of epoxy and hardener and mum got a larger tool to mix the glue. The gluing thus went much faster, allowing us some rest during the day while waiting for the top part to dry before adding the sides.

Single layer of fabric everywhere. Not yet sanded.

2 layers of fabric on top. One on sides.

Removing extra fabric from edges/

Transom holding on tight. central part not glassed as we might have to add a few wood pieces to it first.

Serenite is now fit to float and be used as a boat. She floats by herself now.

Fixed transom and glassed sides

Fixed the transom after some efforts. Then we placed and epoxied the glass onto the sides of the boat. Had a long day of work from very early to very late.

Transom in place.

Sanded.

One side held up by masking tape not yet glued.

We had to seek help from mum today for the mixing of the glue as we were needing large amounts of it and me and dad simply couldn't keep up with the number of small tasks that had to be done simultaneously. For a small boat, it is easy to mix the glue and spread it over the whole area. However, for a boat this size, a third pair of hands is needed to mix glue. This is because epoxy glue starts to thicken very fast and has to be mixed in small amounts. It is specially true in hot weather (ie, almost everyday in Mauritius).

First layer of glass onto hull of boat.

Long day of work but bottom of hull is well glassed with 400g/m2 roving. Everywhere was sanded and then glassed.

We also went to buy new woven roving of both 200 and 400 g/m2 from Amro Chemicals at Plaine Lauzun.

We even had a little help from my uncle.

Then we placed the fiberglass onto the bottom and epoxied it in place. We had quite a few troubles as it was our first time with such a vast amount of epoxy and large glass sheets. Hoping that next layers are going to be easier.

Just sanded.

Placing first glass sheet.

Positioning second glass sheet (note overlap in middle of hull).

Removing air bubbles with a "Squeegee"

Hard at work.

First layer of fabric glued onto hull.

Removed jig and bulkheads, lowered boat, sanded, and finished glassing bottom edges.

Started work early. Removed all the wood underneath the boat, including the jig and the bulkheads so as to be able to lower the boat to be better positioned to work in it when it comes to gluing the large fiberglass sheet on the hull.

First we placed construction blocks with large wood logs so as to be better able to control the boat's height above the ground. Then we proceeded to lowering and sanding.

Boat now empty and sanded and ready for large layer of fiberglass.

finished fiberglassing of panel edges

Not much to show in terms of pictures but we finished putting fiberglass strips onto the panels edges.

Only worth noting we had a surprise visit from our wood supplier as he had to come to meet one of my neighbours. He was really impressed and fascinated by our boat and the use we have been putting the marine grade plywood he sold us.

Gluing two other edges

Here is a description of the process to go through before gluing two panels with a fiberglass strip.

Vacuum clean after sanding

clean with a humid sponge

cut off any extra strands after positioning of the fiberglass strip

Cutting of fiberglass strips and, some gluing.......and lots of sanding

We started the day by cutting our 200g/m2 fiberglass into strips of 4 inches to be used to glue the edges of our panels together. It was quite a simple process but some good techniques were required in order not to transform the process into a horrible mess.

Tools used to cut the fiberglass

The mighty "maggi" cardboard used to mark off 4.5 inch graduations on fiberglass

Dressmaker's scissors

first strip almost ready

Each strip of 4.5 inch wide

cutting in progress

copybooks weighing down fiber to start the cut......

.....then moved to hold the fiber in place as cut progresses

cutting with the special scissors

Advanced piece of technology used to wrap the fiber to keep it without fatal kinks

parallel cutting of numerous strips

At the same time. sanding work was still going no outside the house.

The expert sander at work

Almost done

Note protective gear agains fine dust

Makita Sander

In the afternoon, we had a first test of gluing a strip to one side of the boat.

Today we also received out wood for the mast and reinforcements from Chantier Chiu Yuan. We got a bagful of fine wood flour from their huge wood cutting machine. When added to epoxy this wood flour provides a great material to glue with.