I must like punishing myself

[FishStretcher]

Nice work! I am really interested to see more people do composite transoms. Plywood seems like it has so many down sides, like weight, rot, and grain orientation that promotes further rot.

If you hate sanding on the inside of the hull, I heard about and then tried using a sandblaster. It is pretty easy and fast. Great for irregular surfaces. I used it for my console door.

Also, when you fillet and tab in from transom to stringers, I found some good reference material on construction of that joint. I got it from boatdesign.net.

A link to some discussion here, with a link to the original:

http://www.classicseacraft.com/commu...4&postcount=32

and http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/fib...ion-45735.html


Finally, if you want a bit better bond, but like polyester resin, you might consider vinylester. It works the same way (MEKP system, thinned with styrene), but has better mechanical properties, and better resistance to water. Plus polyester sticks to it, in case you want to gel coat the bilge. I am a huge fan of the stuff I get from Mertons.

[billythekid]

Vinylester resin was outside the budget as it was almost double the polyester and when buying it by the drum its alot of money. Joe Merton has been very helpful to me for the past 14 years answering questions for me or asking some of the builders he works with.
I am getting the boat soda blasted in a few weeks and they are also gonna blast the bilge area for me to clean it up. I am a big fan of media blasting as it does not discriminate agianst any type of surface.

Blue
It does go much faster as you gain knowledge on these boats and know what you want to do going in. This is my third 20sf. I also helped a friend with one a few years ago. This one was rotted completely out and it is just easier to start over. I am pushing to get some of this work done outdoors so i dont sh1t up my new garage to much. I am getting the rest of my coring, resin and other materials delivered tomorrow. So i will be set to make some more progress on it in the next few weeks.

[flyingfrizzle]

Originally Posted by billythekid

Vinylester resin was outside the budget as it was almost double the polyester and when buying it by the drum its alot of money.

Very true, the 55 gal drum of Vinyl I recently purchased was at least $400 more a drum over poly. The epoxy price per drum was 4 x the poly as well! I bit the bullet and got the Vinylester due to using it on mainly structural bonds. I have nothing against the poly, it works well too as long as the surface is prepared right.

[beastley]

Billy
Who are you having do the soda blasting? I'm in south Jersey and have been looking for someone local to do my bottom.
Thanks

John

[billythekid]

Atlantic soda blasting is gonna do it. I cant get ahold of south jersey soda blasting and doesnt call back. Atlantic called me back the same day gave me a price and then we put it on the schedule. The way a buisness should be run.

Barrel of vinylester was 650 more than the poly.

[FishStretcher]

I have never used soda blasting. I always used black beauty silicon carbide. You are supposed to have a fresh air supply so you don't get silicosis, but for small jobs with a mask, I suspect it is fine.

I realized after I posted and re-read the thread that you were well aware of the things I posted, but left it up anyways. Maybe someone will find it useful.

I think that sandblasting is the best shortcut there is for structural work.

[billythekid]

no updates this weekend, it got cold here and I have to get the heat running in the shop

[strick]

You could afford to slow down a little. You wouldn't want to finish it too fast now would you?

strick

[strick]

OK not that slow

strick

[billythekid]

I have more pics will get them off the camera in the next day or so.

finally got the gas company over to boost pressure to my garage for the heat. it has been cold here and working outside hasn't been feasible.

also snow plowing has been busy for us.

gonna make a good run at it next week I hope.