Bugger !

We have had a little Bad luck  ( Bugger ! )  , Used a 2 pot Epoxy Fairing Mix on the Conical stem and for some reason it refused to set , dunno if I made a mistake , or it was a bad batch or just the weather was too cold , but after waiting for 7 days for it to harden up I gave up and stripped it off . Went back to West Epoxy and the fairing powder , hardened overnight and was finally able to Shape off the Stem .

 

 



 





Have also made a start on the Capping strip , the front section of this is made from 4 laminations of timber over the curve of the forefoot and matches up with the bottom of the conical stem  . The Aft piece will be  solid timber  as there is no significient curve to deal with .
These pictures were taken just before I fitted another 2 layers of fiberglass over the stem and capping strip to finish off the sandwich construction of the Bow . The entire boat will be covered in a layer of fiberglass which will overlap at the keel , chines and stem , with an additional reinforcing strip along the keel and chines thus giving a total of  4 layers of fiberglass over the stem and 3 layers over the keel and chines .
The rest of the Hull is being sanded and faired and no matter how much I tell myself ( I love sanding ) , I don't actually  , so the quicker that this gets done the better .

Gluing , Screwing and Torture

Someone asked me the other day , " What are you up to ,on the Weekend " , I repied with " Gluing , screwing and Torturing ( Pause )  sheets of Plywood . Funny thing  , he gave me the strangest look !
Doesn't Everyone ??

With the Bottom 2 layers complete  and the second skin on the sides progressing from the front , I have also made a start on the conical bow section . Made from strips of 25mm timber narrowed at one end ,layed vertically over some temporary forms to create the shape  . Epoxy glue is forced into the gaps between and when set , the assembly will be removed and fiberglassed on the inside .

Removed the Conical bow and have added the layers  of fiberglass  to the inside of the strip planks , this can now be glued back into place and we can continue with the fairing of this section into the main Hull .
( OH No  , more Sanding !! ) .
 Additional layers of fiberglass will be added on the outside once I'm happy with the shape and we will have created a nice solid timber strip plank sandwich .  ( Tasty Huh )
I'm glad I kept the Conical Bow design  , it makes a real point of difference over the typical plywood boat design .