Converting a Race Boat into a pleasure Boat

[Ratickle]

Man, that sure looks to be strong as heck.......

 

[2TR]

Now so my window ledge has a nice clean edge I'm using my wood window templates as molds.

First thing I did was ran a 1/4 x 3/4 piece or weather strip around the wood. This will give me some wiggle room as
it will be needed for finish cloth and body work later on.



Next I wrapped the part in regular wax paper..



Than began to pre-cut my chop that will run around the mold



I simply wet the chop out...



Allowed it time to dry...



Cut off the excess..

 

[2TR]

Once the part dried it was removed and the wax paper was simply peeled off




Now what I have is a nice clean inside ridge that I can build up the core on.

 

[old377guy]

v. cool

 

[Ratickle]

Damn that ought to be strong! Nice!!!!!



Hell, I may even get in a boat with you again!!!! Just be careful where you mount the GoPro, I want to see the entire video.....

 

[2TR]

Damn that ought to be strong! Nice!!!!!
Hell, I may even get in a boat with you again!!!! Just be careful where you mount the GoPro, I want to see the entire video.....

It's as build like a Magnum Hull! and we did have the race on video, just that the video was shot from under uyour seat when the camera broke free from the mount. lol


The front window frame was started the same as the two side.. I'll use light weight core, filler and some chopped matt to fill the
areas in between and body work them in. This area is nothing more than cosmetic but will add some strength to the side support
pillars in case of a stuff or hit.

 

[Ratickle]

That boat was one tight fit.......


I'll have to dig up that vid again.....


I'll also have to dig up my pics of this boat in Harrison that one rough day....

 

[2TR]

Step 35,745,415.....

I used chop to in-bed the core to the canopy lip.. this core will be used to "build out" the canopy
giving the window a ledge



Once it dried I used a DA to start shaping the balsa. Its important to take your time
and not just grab a 24G disc to finish in a hurry.. I used a 80G to make sure I did not rip any
pieces of balsa off.



This is only a rough shape, I will be using some light weight filler in the gaps and to finish the
shaping.






Everything was than wet out with a generous amount of resin.

 

[old377guy]

good stuff

 

[Ratickle]

So, are you starting to miss the smell of fiberglass when you're not there?????

 

[2TR]

With a little body filler and resin I worked in the radius






Lots of sanding...




And a finished lip....

 

[Ratickle]

That really is looking well done. Nice......

 

[old377guy]

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

 

[Ratickle]

How are you doing on the other boat ?

 

[2TR]

How are you doing on the other boat ?

We are raising the X, replacing the floor, building a new center console to hold the throttle and shifter and adding some bulk heads..

 

[phragle]

Hey Rick, when you get caught up, i have some glass work for you so you dont get bored... I will even buy beer and pizza......

 

[Ratickle]

Just kind of sneak it in where his is at and he will probably finish yours without even noticing......

 

[phragle]

you know, he isnt really that far .........

 

[Ratickle]

Heck, Rick's inhaled so much glass and resin fumes by now he wouldn't have a clue.....

 

[2TR]

Once everything was pretty smooth we simply covered all the body work with 1 1/2oz matt.








The black marks are air voids that popped up during the drying time. I rushed this step as
I had other things to do and did not let the room and boat warm up enough.