This is as much for appearance as anything else given they're laminate but the overall effect works very well (albeit a little difficult to photograph).
You may think that bolting on the deck hardware - cleats, fairleads, fendoff endcaps etc. would be fairly painless - think again! With all the fittings I used locking nuts and either washers (various) or washers and ply 'spreader' plates to spread the load under those items subject to stress and strain such as cleats and sidesteps. If you have ever tried to get a spanner/socket/anything on the nuts of a Broom rubbing strake bow-cap you will understand...
Luckily I was on the outside with a screwdriver, carefully aligning the screw heads, while long suffering neighbour, Tony, was folded into a peculiar contorted shape and posted into the fibreglass coffin under the front deck. To cut a long story short, after a lot of effort, all the deck fittings are now in place (even though I did hear some nautical phrases that were new to even me).
The bow light was particularly testing as I had made a ply plate with epoxied captive nuts, so the bulb could be changed by simply unscrewing the unit leaving the bolts in place - clever huh? So, another job out of the way and we've heard that Tony should be walking upright again within a week or two.
Up the Stern
Decided to re-visit the 'bit at the back' - the fuel/battery area. While I had previously done some work in there, there were nooks and crannies where water could get trapped, so I did some more filling and fairing to tidy things up.
I finished the whole area with 'Protectakote' - a polyurethane anti-slip paint with rubber granules. Did the job brilliantly.
Trim
All the trim panels are now finished and are in the process of being installed. After a few unsuccessful attempts at 'padding' the side panels I gave up - simply covering the marine ply with vinyl using contact adhesive, fixed round the back with stainless staples. The 'Grab Handle' panel used the same technique but the padding worked well on this.
The Screen Saga (continued)
I really don't want to dwell on this - suffice to say that the pile of mangled aluminium channel is getting larger. Hopefully off to a properly equipped workshop soon for attempt three - third time lucky? Let's hope so.
Informal CMBA Run
My long suffering lady and I had a great run up our local river (The Arun) the other day with some fellow CMBA members.
Although it was our first 'wet' meeting we were made to feel very welcome and fellow member Geoff deserves a special mention for handing over the helm of his beautiful Broom to me for the outward journey.
There was a good collection of interesting boats in evidence and (I know I bang on about this) if you're a regular reader here in the UK - you really should join up!
Next time round...
I hope to get that screen on - then it's finishing the trim, lining the bunks and working out the seating - 2009 is looking realisitic!
You may think that bolting on the deck hardware - cleats, fairleads, fendoff endcaps etc. would be fairly painless - think again! With all the fittings I used locking nuts and either washers (various) or washers and ply 'spreader' plates to spread the load under those items subject to stress and strain such as cleats and sidesteps. If you have ever tried to get a spanner/socket/anything on the nuts of a Broom rubbing strake bow-cap you will understand...
Luckily I was on the outside with a screwdriver, carefully aligning the screw heads, while long suffering neighbour, Tony, was folded into a peculiar contorted shape and posted into the fibreglass coffin under the front deck. To cut a long story short, after a lot of effort, all the deck fittings are now in place (even though I did hear some nautical phrases that were new to even me).
The bow light was particularly testing as I had made a ply plate with epoxied captive nuts, so the bulb could be changed by simply unscrewing the unit leaving the bolts in place - clever huh? So, another job out of the way and we've heard that Tony should be walking upright again within a week or two.
Up the Stern
Decided to re-visit the 'bit at the back' - the fuel/battery area. While I had previously done some work in there, there were nooks and crannies where water could get trapped, so I did some more filling and fairing to tidy things up.
I finished the whole area with 'Protectakote' - a polyurethane anti-slip paint with rubber granules. Did the job brilliantly.
Trim
All the trim panels are now finished and are in the process of being installed. After a few unsuccessful attempts at 'padding' the side panels I gave up - simply covering the marine ply with vinyl using contact adhesive, fixed round the back with stainless staples. The 'Grab Handle' panel used the same technique but the padding worked well on this.
The Screen Saga (continued)
I really don't want to dwell on this - suffice to say that the pile of mangled aluminium channel is getting larger. Hopefully off to a properly equipped workshop soon for attempt three - third time lucky? Let's hope so.
Informal CMBA Run
My long suffering lady and I had a great run up our local river (The Arun) the other day with some fellow CMBA members.
Although it was our first 'wet' meeting we were made to feel very welcome and fellow member Geoff deserves a special mention for handing over the helm of his beautiful Broom to me for the outward journey.
There was a good collection of interesting boats in evidence and (I know I bang on about this) if you're a regular reader here in the UK - you really should join up!
Next time round...
I hope to get that screen on - then it's finishing the trim, lining the bunks and working out the seating - 2009 is looking realisitic!
