Rudder leading edge work

Here are the pics of the leading edge. I used two layers of 200gm glass cut diagonally across the bias. This should cover any of the raw cedar along the leading edge and bottom of the rudder.

Raw epoxy

Is my shop getting messy enough?

Happy face time...

Peel Ply

Strength testing...

Carbon/Cedar/Glass Rudder Blade

Trimming and rollering excess epoxy. Peel Ply added later
Rolling on glass
Wetting out unicloth
Wetting out cedar and also unicloth.
Yesterdays effort.

Hi. Bit of an update. Carbon 400 or 600gm Unicloth, and 2 layers of 200 glass over a laminated cedar core. It is shaped to Finn Class dimensions and looks good. We wet layuped one side yesterday and this is todays effort. Will make cheeks out of Fijian Kauri next week

Rudder build

Seats and floorboards rough cut.

Kelly and Jack check out rough cut seats and floors. Will glue hardwood edge in cockpit area. Was easier to cut and dry fit with top planks off.

Seats getting built.

Now I have the 3rd row of planks on I have decided to mock up and fit seats. They are made of 18mm Gaboon which will be glassed over.

Pat tries out the seating arrangement. Making progress.

Days getting shorter... Finn hasn't been used much this summer
Template with joggle stick.

3rd row of planking going on.

Kel and Pat helped with 3rd row. We dry fitted and trimmed planks 3rd row. Then glued, screwed and fitted stbd side planks. Unfortunately Mate came around and distracted me with 6 pack. Watched NZ lose to Aussie again in cricket! Should have fitted port side instead of watching cricket...

Any way a few pics. We make our dog, Jack, sleep on pillow so he doesn't walk around and cover his paws in epoxy drips!

Front floor boards cut out

Hi. Busy summer with kids sailing. Have managed to cut out front floor boards. These were easier to cut out and trim to size before the sides go on. Kids try out mum and dads foredeck sleeping area.

More jobs

2nd row complete. Tingles in. Applying fairing compound to lead. Kelly will epoxy coat all of interior while I am at work tomorrow. She loves painting. Amazing what filler can fill ;-)

Cheers

Brian

Cutting 'Gains' near bow section

This job was easy. The 'Gains' took about 10 minutes on plank and 10 minutes on the hull. They start from about 350mm from stem. Straight edge on plank and plane down as required. My bevel plane was bought on Trade-Me. Thanks to my apprentice for her help. I am lucky she is willing to mix and fillet epoxy and occasionally use the drills!

I am going to holt planking at the 2nd row for a short while. I have decided I am going to epoxy barrier coat my wood under the floorboards and leave unpainted. Will be quicker than painting. Easier to repair. Will also finish all fillets, forward floor and anchor floor. All these jobs will be easier with the top two rows of planks off.

Second Row of Planks almost on

More Progress!

After beveling the first row of planking and marking out and cutting the third row it is time to put on second row. So far so good. Have put on the the rear two planks on. Tomorrow I will cut the gains and glue and screw the front plank on.

Will probably stop there and complete the anchor well and possibly some of the front flooring. May even raw epoxy the floorboards and frames a little more prior to putting on third row.

More Pics of Lower Plank Operation

I had to add an extra couple of small strips of Plywood along the bottom edge of the reverse curve. These allowed the clamps to have something to pull up on. Otherwise they slipped off. They are only held on by short screws and I will take of today.

PS I think I should ask Steinlager for sponsorship too!

Lower Side Plank

These are the hardest. Especially around the bow. I didn't find it to difficult. The key being to pull everything up evenly. Thanks to Simon and Max from Canterbury Sailing School for their help. Also Kelly my wife. It really is a two or three person job. Thickened epoxy in a bag works for getting onto frames and stringers. I used a combination of clamps, zip ties, and wedges. Check out the photos.

Took a day to get all planks on.