Flatback Fireboat Rebuild

[OldSkool67]

Looks great Craig! I have not had time to go back and read all the updates on your build but did look at the progress pics. I look forward to getting caught up on your build.

[CLM65]

Looking for recommendations here....Hopefully in the near future I will making the deck, using the MDF method like jrm1 did.  I will be using 2 layers of glass on each side of the nidacore panels.  One layer on each side will be 1708 (-45/+45 degree weave).  Would I be better off if the other layer on each side is 1808 (0/90 degree weave)?  Or should the other layer be another layer of 1708?

[RickK]

In my research I found that the 1708 handles the torsion quite well. Adding 1808 didn't add much strength. I did mix the 2 on several other things but on the deck I used a couple layers of 1708.

[fishinonthebrain]

That sucks about the gaps around the doors after all that work. Just take your time next time with the mold every minute you spend on details to get it just right will save a tremendous amount of time fairing and repairs.

I spent a couple weeks over a few months getting my mold just right and could have spent a few more hours on it but could not handle it any more and laid some glass in it.

[CLM65]

Fish, I think the mold was fine.  I think the problem was in my execution of laying in the glass.  I tried to do everything wet on wet, so I rushed and did not get the glass to conform to the mold properly.  I've got to learn to be more patient.

[RickK]

You're using poly right Craig?  That stuff doesn't give you much working time for sure - maybe putting it in a cooler of ice might help they say.  That's the beauty and curse of epoxy - great working time, usually way too much.  Although I did have some start to kick off in the bucket today - summer is here.

[RickK]

Forgot to ask - any progress?  We need more aqua porn  

[CLM65]

Forgot to ask - any progress?  We need more aqua porn  

I'm making slow progress on the boat.  Friday I glassed in the port hull side with a layer of 3/4 oz mat, 2 layers of 1708, and another layer of 3/4 oz mat.  I still need to trim the top edge and do the other side.  I'm hoping it comes out close to the stiffness that Scotty got on the Miss D.  I know Scotty used coremat or something else, but this is what Eugene recommended for me doing it as a one-man show.  The pic isn't great, but I think it came out pretty good.



I also glassed the exterior transom cutout.  I used vinylester for this part.  Still a lot of fairing to do and I'm not sure I built up the cutout enough to be even with the original surface.



Also, I mentioned in some other threads that I purchased a console and am having a tower made.  I know, this is way premature for where I'm at in the rebuild process, but fellow member randy56100 is getting his own aluminum fabrication shop going and offered a darn good deal.  So I think it is a win-win.  He sent me some pics today of where he is at, and I don't think we get enough tower porn in these threads, so here is what we have so far:





My first impression when I saw the pics is "wow, that's a lot of bow in those legs!".  But after I looked at it a little bit, I think it is going to look pretty cool!

I need some advice for the color of the sunbrella top.  I think the boat will be either all white or white with seafoam green sides.  Any suggestions on a color that will go with either paint job?

[gran398]

Craig, excellent, you are doing our ol' gal proud!

Great job on the sides...we used coremat, but as you say had a helper or two. Advantage of the coremat, easy to finish. Disadvantage, thickness. Eugene gave you good advice, the pic looks great. Nice and even, and should buildup/prime like a champ. Are you going with gel or paint inside?

Good deal on the tower too...He does pretty work, and I'm with you, like the curves a lot. The shape of the curvature will compliment the lines of the hull IMHO. Randy, great to have a top/tower/post guy here

Re the top canvas...Guess am a little partial, but still happy with the choice we made. Carolyn even mentioned yesterday how she liked it. And  given your question/thinking, could work well on yours.

Light seafoam green underneath....eggshell white/cream up above facing the sun.

Nice work

[randy56100]

Thanks guys I appreciate it a lot! There is a lot of bow in the legs. Honestly I think it looks like theirs more in the pictures than in person. But regardless I think its coming out great. The tower looks "fast" as we would say in the fabrication world. But its a good looking top. I'll keep Craig updated with pictures to share!

[CLM65]

Thanks Scotty!  I'm going with gel everywhere.  If I was smart, I would have done this part of the rebuild during the winter when the temps were lower.  I did the whole side wet-on-wet, so I had to work fast.  I cut each layer of cloth into 4 pieces, and staggered the seams so that the seam on each layer was offset about 4" from the previous layer.  I also set the resin on ice overnight.  And one thing I learned talking to Robb Young is that all catalysts are not created equal.  Some are apparently a little weaker (by design) to give longer working time.  So I got some new "slow kick" catalyst and also mixed it weak, and had no problems staying ahead of it.

You're right - your top would look great with my color plans!  But I don't see seafoam as a color choice on the sunbrella website.  They have something called "basil" which may work, but the color on the monitor may not be truly representative.  I also don't see the two-color fabrics .   Do you have the actual name of it?

And thanks again Randy!  I think it will look great!  I understand Chris (love2fish) is having you build a tower also - that's good news!  If anyone is considering getting a t-top, tower, leaning post, etc., I recommend PM'ing Randy and get a price.  I had gotten a few quotes from other well-known fabricators, and Randy's prices beat theirs by quite a bit.  And as you can see from the pics, he does great work  

[RickK]

One side down, only 1 more to go.  
Looks good Craig.  
The tower does look "fast".

[Aswaff400]

that console looks awfully familiar    looks great

[gran398]

Good deal on the gel

Re the top material. It is a type of acrylic-coated fabric.

May have been this stuff:

http://www.glfi.com/marinecatalog_aqualonpage.htm

Remember though the canvas guy here using two colors, and fused them together....or at least that's what he mentioned...wingtime to the white phone please

[wingtime]

Scott,
Your top is probably made out of a coated vinyl called Weblon Regatta.  It is available with different colors on the top and bottom.  Such as a white or cream color on top so it stays cool by reflecting the sun and a nice light sea foam green for example on the bottom.

If it has a more "fabric" look to it that it could be a woven polyester with and acrylic coating on top giving it a UV resistance and a different color on top.  Heritage is once such fabric that is made by the same company that makes the Top Gun fabric we made your cover out of.

Your guy could have used two different color fabrics and somehow layered them together.  But I doubt that since it would be twice as expensive and why do all that work when you can get the material in bi-color any ways.

For a woven fabric Sunbrella is top dog. and has a great warranty.  But since it is a woven solution dyed fabric it can be made only in one color or with stripes (good for awnings but boats? NO)  That is unless it has a coating applied to the topside (I don't think Gen Raven is doing that).