Joining hull halves together

[Guest]

I need to join two hull halves; top and bottom together on my Vanguard.

I want to use a bayonet locking ring mechanism for hull access, similar to Robbe's U47. This should make for a neat looking boat!

To join top and bottom, ideally I would glue the two together with polyester resin and reinforce with glassfibre tape (OTW= polyester hull). However I would need a very long brush and the skills of a gynaecologist to lay up the resin and tape towards the bow of the boat!

So I consider that a simple mix of resin and maybe some microballoons should do the trick. The hull won't have to withstand water pressure, as I have built a secondary pressure hull. It just needs to be strong enogh to withstand the occasional knock.

Anyone got any better suggestions or tips?

Cheers

Andy

[thordesign]

Andy,

Resins, both polyester and

Andy,

Resins, both polyester and epoxy, are extremely weak and brittle without being reinforced with tape. Your joint will not last long. The gentle cycling from the heat of the sun and the cold water will crack your joint out in very little time.

I have to do this on a regular basis. It really is pretty easy. You take a 1/4" acid brush and tape it firmly to a long dowel stick. Before assembling the hull halves you brush a nice amount of resin and cabosil on the joint area. You then bend the tape over the end of the brush, holding the ends of the tape against opposing sides of the dowel stick. Stick the "probe" in a far as it will go until it touches. Gently release the tape from the dowel and start brushing along the seam, away from the point of initial contact until the tape is laying nicely along the seam. It takes a bit of patience, but you will be rewarded with a very nice, tight, and strong seam.

[Guest]

Okay, cheers for the tip.

Okay, cheers for the tip. I'm going to have to fix up a 5 foot dowel!

May fix a little maglite on the dowel too, that way it should shine a little light on the subject.

Andy

[thordesign]

Andy,

Practice patience and do not

Andy,

Practice patience and do not give up. Five foot, eh? Well, you have me beat!