Three more hours of work during these holidays: still beveling the akas... Not much to show here other than a lot of wood shavings. I do the rough part with the power planer and Cinzia does the refining work. There are 8 substantial wood planks to fair...
Total work time to date: 526 hours
Diary on the construction of a Seaclipper 20, a plywood trimaran designed by Jim Brown and John Marples. Our boat's Sail No. is 50. The boat has been named GEODETICA and was launched on september 28th, 2024.
Thursday, December 29, 2016
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Akas (5)
Two more hours of work yesterday, continuing to shape those akas which are taking more time than expected.
At a certain point though Cinzia's mom gave us a bag of freshly made "pettole", which are a typical Christmas food in southern Italy. Delicious!
Merry Christmas!
Total work time to date: 523 hours
At a certain point though Cinzia's mom gave us a bag of freshly made "pettole", which are a typical Christmas food in southern Italy. Delicious!
Merry Christmas!
Total work time to date: 523 hours
Sunday, December 18, 2016
Akas (4)
Two hours of work yesterday during which we started to bevel the esposed edges of the aka planks.
Here's how we're doing it, using the power plane first, cutting a 45° bevel
and then finishing with power planer, rasp, Surforms and sandpaper
Here's how we're doing it, using the power plane first, cutting a 45° bevel
and then finishing with power planer, rasp, Surforms and sandpaper
Total work time to date: 521 hours
Sunday, December 11, 2016
Akas (3)
Four more hours during the week end. Yesteday we drilled all holes for the swing-wing aka structure which seems to work properly.
Today Cinzia fiberglassed the other side of the false transom with the same schedule.
Total work time to date: 519 hours
Friday, December 9, 2016
Akas (2)
Six hours of work between yesterday and today. We completed the initial akas installation, making sure they're as square as possible to the centerline as well as parallel as possible to each other. It takes a certain number of measurements, tiny adjustements, "splitting the difference", and so on. At the end, the installation looks accurate to +/- 5 mm (about 1/4 inch).
At the end, we drilled all necessary holes with a 10 mm bit and made sure that the swing arms do swing. This is a video but it does not play in my browser...
This is a front view of the forward ama with the swing arms installed, which gives an idea of the size of the boat. The aka "doubler" is not yet glued on. Those akas are HEAVY. We'll see how they behave at sea.
It's getting colder now so after the sunset we went inside to fiberglass one side of the false transom with two layers af 160 g/sq.m. cloth and epoxy.
Total work time to date: 515 hours
At the end, we drilled all necessary holes with a 10 mm bit and made sure that the swing arms do swing. This is a video but it does not play in my browser...
This is a front view of the forward ama with the swing arms installed, which gives an idea of the size of the boat. The aka "doubler" is not yet glued on. Those akas are HEAVY. We'll see how they behave at sea.
It's getting colder now so after the sunset we went inside to fiberglass one side of the false transom with two layers af 160 g/sq.m. cloth and epoxy.
Total work time to date: 515 hours
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Akas! (1)
Two hours today in which we started working on the akas. First thing was drilling the holes in the mounting blocks. We used a 10 mm bit, and a drill support the keep the hole vertical. No big deal really. We then drew the centerline on the forward aka, centered it on the blocks, aligned it square with respect to the centerline, and pinned the position of the bolt hole from underneath trough the bolt hole just drilled int he mounting block.
Total work time to date: 509 hours
Total work time to date: 509 hours
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Blades ready for paint; false transom
Two hours today. We sanded both blades with the power sander (120 grit) taking down epoxy drips, FG edges and so on. They look good, I think. The pics give a good idea of the size. Here's the rudder
and here's the daggerboard (quite heavy!)
We also prepared the (basculating) false transom for fiberglassing. Here it is
Total work time to date: 507 hours
and here's the daggerboard (quite heavy!)
We also prepared the (basculating) false transom for fiberglassing. Here it is
Total work time to date: 507 hours
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Glassing the blades (3)
Two more hours today to glass the other side of both blades with the same procedure used before.
Total work time to date: 505 hours
Total work time to date: 505 hours
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Glassing the blades, and more (2)
Two more hours today to check the results of yesterday's work. This pic gives an idea of what we did to make sure that the akas rest on a flat surface to avoid stresses. You can easily see the varying thickness of the resin due to the non zero inclination of the pad top with respect to the deck. This has been done for all 4 aka supports.
and here's a pic of the blades after fairing the FG cloth edges.
Total work time to date: 503 hours
Saturday, November 12, 2016
Glassing the blades, and more
Four hours today after a long hiatus due to many other commitments... and we passed the 500 hours mark!
I had noticed that the akas were not staying flat on the wooden supports. So we checked that the boat was level both longitudinally and atwartship, put some plastic tape under two of the aka beams and used them to properly level a layer of thickened (microfibers+silica) resin spread on the top of each pad. Tomorrow we'll see if this worked out properly. We might also wanto to put a thin (a few mm) piece of hard rubber to improve the contact between the akas and the supports.
We then glassed the first side of rudder and daggerboard with two layers of 160 g/sq.m. cloth (one 0-90, the other +45/-45) and clear resin. Here's Cinzia cutting the cloth to size
and here are the two blades glassed on one side
BTW we decided not to proceed with thickening the trailing side of the blades. We'll cut the clot flush along the sharp edge and we'll make sure to thoroughly coat it.
Total work time to date: 501 hours
I had noticed that the akas were not staying flat on the wooden supports. So we checked that the boat was level both longitudinally and atwartship, put some plastic tape under two of the aka beams and used them to properly level a layer of thickened (microfibers+silica) resin spread on the top of each pad. Tomorrow we'll see if this worked out properly. We might also wanto to put a thin (a few mm) piece of hard rubber to improve the contact between the akas and the supports.
We then glassed the first side of rudder and daggerboard with two layers of 160 g/sq.m. cloth (one 0-90, the other +45/-45) and clear resin. Here's Cinzia cutting the cloth to size
and here are the two blades glassed on one side
BTW we decided not to proceed with thickening the trailing side of the blades. We'll cut the clot flush along the sharp edge and we'll make sure to thoroughly coat it.
Total work time to date: 501 hours
Wednesday, October 26, 2016
Fairing the blades (4)
We're back after a quite busy period, mostly due to a conference in Germany which resulted in two lost (boatwise) weekends. Last saturday we were ready to glass the blades after a lot of sanding, which resulted in fairly nice shapes
However, we discovered that the trailing edges of both blades are too sharp to wrap wet fiberglass around them. To be honest, the plans recommend to make the trailing edge pencil-thick and round it, but I overlooked the recommendations. So we will probably increase the thickness of the trailing sides with 3 mm thick plywood or veneer glued on each side, and will fair again before fiberglassing... oh well
Total work time to date: 497 hours
However, we discovered that the trailing edges of both blades are too sharp to wrap wet fiberglass around them. To be honest, the plans recommend to make the trailing edge pencil-thick and round it, but I overlooked the recommendations. So we will probably increase the thickness of the trailing sides with 3 mm thick plywood or veneer glued on each side, and will fair again before fiberglassing... oh well
Total work time to date: 497 hours
Sunday, October 2, 2016
Fairing the blades (3)
Two more hours to work on the blades. Spread some putty on the other side of the daggerboard,
and started to sand the rudder blade. This is hard and quite difficult work indeed..
Total work time to date: 494 hours
and started to sand the rudder blade. This is hard and quite difficult work indeed..
Total work time to date: 494 hours
Fairing the blades (2)
This is a very busy period. We could only manage to work about one hour this morning to continue fairing of the blades with epoxy putty. Here are two pics. This is the daggerboard
and this is the rudder
Total work time to date: 492 hours
and this is the rudder
Total work time to date: 492 hours
Sunday, September 18, 2016
Vaka fiberglassing (8)
Just a couple of hours this week to smooth the rough FG edges on the vaka. We the put the boat rightside up again. Here are the two proud builders. By the way, the cockpit floor did non collapse
Total work time to date: 491 hours
Sunday, September 11, 2016
Fiberglassing the vaka (7)
Five hours this week end, to prepare and fiberglass the port side of the vaka (main hull). We first faired the starboard side which we had fiberglassed the previous time
We then cleaned the starboard side and turned the hull on the other side. It's getting heavier, but we could do that in a restricted space with no difficulties
Now all the three hulls are completely fiberglassed. We're getting there.. what's next?
Total work time to date: 489 hours
We then cleaned the starboard side and turned the hull on the other side. It's getting heavier, but we could do that in a restricted space with no difficulties
We then prepared the side for fiberglassing, first sanding down fg edges and epoxy runs and then removing the dust and cleaning the surface with an alcool damp rag, and draped the fg cloth on it
More than one liter of epoxy was needed to laminate the fiberglass on the side.
Now all the three hulls are completely fiberglassed. We're getting there.. what's next?
Total work time to date: 489 hours
Monday, September 5, 2016
Fiberglassing the vaka (6)
Six hours of work between friday and sunday. We tilted the main hull (vaka) on a side to facilitate draping and subsequent wetting out of the fiberglass. However we first had to get rid of several epoxy drips and fair the deck and bottom fg edges.
We then wet out and simultaneously cut to size the fiberglass, using more than one kg of clear resin
Last evening we went to check everything and discovered a big (3 cm diameter) air bubble exactly on the side panel butt joint, which was filled with resin and then squeezed with an improvised rig
We then wet out and simultaneously cut to size the fiberglass, using more than one kg of clear resin
Total work time to date: 484 hours
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Fairing the blades (1)
Two hours of work today. Since Cinzia is on vacation, I'm working alone so I'm concentrating on smaller tasks. Today, after grinding the fg edges around the transom, I decided to work on the blades which are not complete yet. So first of all I sanded both blades with the power sander (40 grit) and a hand pad (60 grid)
I then glued the two handles/stopper to the centerboard
and finally I prepared some fairing putty and coated one side of the rudder blade. Tomorrow we'll se how this worked out
Total work time to date: 478 hours
I then glued the two handles/stopper to the centerboard
and finally I prepared some fairing putty and coated one side of the rudder blade. Tomorrow we'll se how this worked out
Total work time to date: 478 hours
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
Fiberglassing the vaka (5)
One hour of work today to fiberglass the transom with 160 g/sq.m. glass cloth.
Total work time to date: 476 hours
Total work time to date: 476 hours
Tuesday, August 23, 2016
Fiberglassing the vaka (4)
Two hours today to prepare the vaka transom for fiberglassing, with the help of my son Giovanni who is trying to learn how to make a living after his graduation in zoology. We first rounded the corners of the transom framing and power sanded away fg edges and drips from the transom.
We then filleted the corners of the framing in preparation for fiberglassing
Total work time to date: 475 hours
We then filleted the corners of the framing in preparation for fiberglassing
Total work time to date: 475 hours
Thursday, August 18, 2016
Fiberglassing the vaka (3)
Two hours of nasty and itchy work yesterday to take down the fg edges with the Surforms (the most important invention of mankind).
Total work time to date: 473 hours
Total work time to date: 473 hours
Tuesday, August 16, 2016
Fiberglassing the vaka (2)
Two hours of work this morning to fiberglass the vaka deck with the usual 160 g/sq.m. glass cloth. We used about 900 grams of clear resin. Here's a view of the deck during the wetting out
and here's the completed job
Total work time to date: 471 hours
and here's the completed job
Total work time to date: 471 hours
Monday, August 15, 2016
Fiberglassing the vaka (1)
Four hours of work on sunday 14th. We first faired the fg edges on the second ama
We then temporarily rolled the vaka out of the shop to swap it with the amas
Both amas, now completely fiberglassed, have been put on the cradles, cleaned and set aside in the shop
We then cut the 160 g/sq.m. fg cloth to size, ready to be laminated on the vaka deck (next time). Here's it, with a fresh beer and the equally important mosquito repellent lotion.
Total work time to date: 469 hours
We then temporarily rolled the vaka out of the shop to swap it with the amas
Both amas, now completely fiberglassed, have been put on the cradles, cleaned and set aside in the shop
We then cut the 160 g/sq.m. fg cloth to size, ready to be laminated on the vaka deck (next time). Here's it, with a fresh beer and the equally important mosquito repellent lotion.
Total work time to date: 469 hours
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Fiberglassing the amas (8)
Four hours last night to complete fiberglassing of the second ama. Here's Cinzia draping and cutting to size the fiberglass cloth for the ama deck
and here's the fiberglassed deck. Here's Cinzia carefully looking for air bubbles.
We used around 500 grams of resin. By the way, we've started the fourth batch of epoxy resin last night. Up to now we've used about 40 kg. Next time we'll start working on the main hull.
Total work time to date: 465 hours
and here's the fiberglassed deck. Here's Cinzia carefully looking for air bubbles.
We used around 500 grams of resin. By the way, we've started the fourth batch of epoxy resin last night. Up to now we've used about 40 kg. Next time we'll start working on the main hull.
Total work time to date: 465 hours
Sunday, August 7, 2016
Fiberglassing the amas (7)
Six more hours this week (4 by Cinzia alone) to sand down the FG edges, prepare the second side for fiberglassing. and FG lamination with about 700 g of clear epoxy. Here it is
After the epoxy cures, we'll sand down the remaining FG edges, put the hull rightside up on the cradles, and fiberglass the deck.
Total work time to date: 461 hours
After the epoxy cures, we'll sand down the remaining FG edges, put the hull rightside up on the cradles, and fiberglass the deck.
Total work time to date: 461 hours
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
Fiberglassing the amas (6)
Three hours last night in which we prepared and fiberglassed one side of the second ama. Here's Cinzia scribing the fiberglass which will be then cut to size
and here's the finished product. We used about 700 g of clear resin and the usual 160 g/sq.m. cloth.
Total work time to date: 455 hours.
and here's the finished product. We used about 700 g of clear resin and the usual 160 g/sq.m. cloth.
Total work time to date: 455 hours.
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