[kakao]

Hi John

I used Western Red Cedar for everything except the gunwhale. I used 7mm of Vic Ash over cedar for the gunwhale. 4.5 years use in strong wind and waves and no breakdowns. I would use a bigger section for the top of the centrecase if I built another boat to improve stiffness at that point.

Harold

[kakao]

Hi
The construction notes are out of date in a lot of areas. Its good to get hold of the West System guide to epoxy for boats. It shows the importance of filleting the taped joint. That is running a bead of filler epoxy in the corner about the radius of your finger. Its very much stronger that way. You also cover the ties which you can pull out from the other side later. I’ve only used copper ties.

Glassing the inside of the cockpit is best done with the panels flat before assembly but dont go past the centrecase bulkhead or you might have trouble bending the ply. I use a broad scraper like a paint scraper. You can get very cheap white plastic ones about 90mm wide and the resin just flicks off where it is set. Spread it out as thinly and evenly as you can without letting the glass appear white. Resin is heavy and expensive. 100oz glass is OK, 70 if you can get it. I did the whole of the outside too rather than use tape on the seams.

4mm ply for the whole boat is fine and will measure. There are a few changes to the rules passed this year which are on the web site and probably not in your guide. You should read them. Floor stiffeners can now extend to the web bulkhead. Mast support web can be one piece. Timber sizes are advisory. There are minor changes to the way the hull is measured which should not affect you.

email me if you need more help

Harold Medd. Vic State Measurer. [email protected]

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