The hull has "hogged", so the water channel has an upwards push that will not work for good water flow. Lets cut this hull up!
Adding 1/16th fiberglass board to the bottom. All the holes are where I screwed the hull to the building board to make sure everything was level. Frankenstein stiches
Used west system with micro balloons to fair it out. This will get sanded flush Much nicer! Flat is good
Lets cut some windows. These are rough cuts at this point, I need to get the 1/4 inch backers in place and then sand to shape. Time to add the double stringers, this is to make it "ram proof". Using 1/16th sheet cut about 1/4 inch wide and lots of west system epoxy.
Using 1/4 wood templates before cutting the fiberglass board. Lots of work to get them to fit the hull. Fiberglass sheet
Had to notch the stringers, this will be epoxied to the ribs. Ribs in and holes drilled on the Port side. Started the starboard side ribs, this is a shot of the test fitting.
Time to add gearboxes. I prefer to drop the boxes through the hull and then sand them flat on the bottom. This helps with keeping the shafts parallel to the keel. Start by drilling the corners. Have some sanding to do...
Glassed in with epoxy. Look at the ribs, each one is tapped for screws to hold on the lexan armor (overkill, but I like it). Have to keep them level with each other, used a witness stick to mark each one.
Finished the fiberglass starboard ribs, still a lot of work to be done before gluing them to the hull. As the sub-deck will be inset, I was not too worried about the height of the ribs as these will need to be cut down once I figure out how I want to attach them. Thinking that I will do the same as the wood boat builders and notch to make a strong joint. Next is to make the inserts for the blast shield, then mark and drill all the holes in the ribs.
Using a 1/4 wood stick, I mark the locations for the threaded inserts. Using at 4.40, the screws will have a washer to help increase the surface area. In the picture below from top to bottom, witness pole, rib, and the two brass inserts. At this point the rib has been marked, next is to drill a pilot hole and then follow with the correct size drill bit.
Inserts are in, looks like I was slightly off in the bottom placement. Hopefully that will not be as noticeable when everything is together. Now I just have to drill 19 more ribs...
I had my doubts, but you are a freaking MACHINE, Lou. Will it be ready for the Who-Bra-Bra in March? Brian and I are aiming for a shakedown cruise in February sometime.
