FS17 build getting.... SPLASHED!

[whosmatt]

Stitched today -- had a bit of a tough time as my bottom panels were binding at the keel forward of mold C and keeping the bottom from sitting down on the stringers. I climbed up there with my trusty angle grinder and shaved off enough to create a nice gap and allow them to lay down better. One thing that is perturbing me a bit is that one corner of my transom is definitely showing the 1/4" discrepancy in the diagonal, pictured below:


another view:


I feel confident, having worked with epoxy before, that I can make this very strong and pleasing to the eye with a bit of work. But, I'm a bit worried about the symmetry. Shall I just carry on?

Everything else seems pretty good. The bow, mercifully, seemed to come together fine. There is a low spot near the chine on the port side but it's well within the reach of fairing. My picasa gallery has some pics (taken with a real camera!) of the hull as it stands from multiple angles both inside and out. Here's the link again: http://picasaweb.google.com/matt.boswell/BoatBuild#

-M

[gstanfield]

Well, you want the boat to be square, but as long as it is square then the gaps are actually kinda good. One of the thigns I did wrong at first was trying to make everything a tight fit and that left no room for epoxy. A small gap is good from what I hear.

So I guess, my suggestion is to check the hull for squareness and if all is well forget about it

[whosmatt]

Well, I checked my diagonals from the corner of frame B to the transom corner and they were 1/4" off, which the plans say is ok. So I think that's where the discrepancy comes from. Not sure how best to measure now that the hull is stitched.

[gstanfield]

Well stop worrying and start building One of the best aspects of this composite construction method is that thigns don't have to be perfect.

George

[Bowmovement]

Looking good Matt

Matt

[whosmatt]

Didn't work on the boat too much during the week, but I did spend some time making sure everything was square. Last night I mixed up some epoxy and saturated the edges of the wood:


Today, I mixed a batch of putty w/ wood flour and spot-welded the hull together:


Epoxy is taking a long time to cure right now due to the cool weather we've been having, but today was nice, and the hull seems to have set up nicely. One note, if you recall my lamentation in a previous post about the gaps @ the transom, I picked up the bow and gave it a hard shove toward the transom and that seemed to move all the hull panels back on the jig a little better; everything seems to fit great now, and a quick measurement with a string from the bow tip to all four corners of the transom looks good. Plus, the hull is laying a little tighter on the stringers forward of mold C now.

I've got a Porter-Cable 6" RO sander w/ vacuum kit (you know the one, i'm sure) arriving on Monday. Probably won't get a lot of work done this week as my sister is coming to visit but looking forward to getting on with the build. One nice part of this process is that I don't have to rush... need to save for a trailer and down payment on the motor (If I decide to go new) anyway.

-M

edit: anyone have a good source (local or online) for abrasives?

[gstanfield]

Napa carries quality abrasives or grab your local phone book and find am automotive paint store, they will have good stuff. The money you spend buying good abrasives will be saved by them lasting longer and doing the job better. With cheap sand paper the grit will rub off quickly and cost more in the long run due to using more sheets.

I think they sell abrasives through bateau.com as well

[speedgoat]

Congratulations on starting your new build. I'm currently in the process of deciding which plan I will go with.

Just curious, what made you decide on the FS17? That's one of the plans I'm considering, but I'd appreciate hearing your decision criteria.

I'm also in San Diego. I live in Point Loma, and if you ever need any help with anything let me know. I'd be glad to help out however I can.

Good Luck

-Scott

[whosmatt]

Welcome -

I chose the FS17 because I wanted something small and relatively light (don't need a truck to tow) and sea-worthy.

I wanted it to perform well with 30hp or so, weigh ~1500lbs with motor, trailer, gear, etc., and be able to get out of the bay and explore in good weather. Plus, it's a good-looking boat, you have to admit .

Another Matt, Bowmovement, is also a SD (county if not city, not sure exactly) resident....

I am doing my best to do all the work that I can myself, but there will come a time when I need those extra hands... when I flip, I plan to cook on the grill and get some good beer and invite folks over to lend a hand... I'll probably need all the help I can get then!

-Matt

[whosmatt]

A general update -- Got the seams taped last night. I was a bit worried about my radiusing but everything seems ok with the exception of a few spots around the transom. I felt like I was taking a LOT of material off but apparently not enough. I've dealt with air bubbles before; I'll take the grinder, knock em down, fill with epoxy putty before i put the wide glass on. I did everything all at once, so the seams that get 2 layers of tape got them both in one application.
laying it all out dry:


and wet: