TCP A 45 PG 1 - The Coastal Passage Home Page

One of the more rewarding parts of this phase
is working with Polycore. I'm using 10mm
sheets laminated with 600 gram DB glass for
horizontal surfaces. The result is stiff, strong
and lite.
Laminating a panel is about 2 hours all up,
and that's with peel ply for fine finish and paint
ready, both sides. The only down side is that
the edges expose the polypropylene which
epoxy doesn't stick to worth a damn. Also,
when cutting or sanding an edge to shape the
poly core leaves little ragged edges due to the
flexible nature of the material when cut to thin
bits. When I visited with Bob “Cowboy” August
that sells the material he mentioned something
about a plastic primer paint and I instantly
recalled seeing such stuff at the auto parts
stores that provide that for preparing to paint
the plastic body panels that are so common on
cars anymore. I got a little spray can and it
seemed to work. Being careful not to get it on
the working surface, I sprayed the edge and
then filled with bogg mix, let it go off, sanded it
to shape and then taped over with a lite,
flexible glass to finish the edge.
On most of the fitout though I will just cover
the edge with some nice Tassie Oak trim and
that is when the drop saw will come out of
hiding.
And there comes a time when you have to use the
scrap pile or throw it away. Above is some of the
dreaded Duflex, foam and vinylester and the corner is a
piece of PVC storm water pipe. Waste not, spend not!
Little things like good stairs into the hulls. Very
fetley to do but if they are wrong they will be a
nuisance every day you liveaboard. The ones
below give access forward and steps up to the
our cabin. Another dent in the scrap supply..
Motors… we were really considering diesel
sail drives for a while. On the one side were
grunt, power generation and added value when
time to sell. On the other was cost, weight and
the loss of freedom to beach the boat. The
weight was the biggest concern but the
suppliers made up my mind for me. I just didn't
see the break in price I was expecting as a
result of the strengthening AUD. So… that will
be saved for later but I have been buttoning up
the aft deck sections I had left undone whilst
we deliberated… maybe the Yamaha extra
long leg 25's, or maybe not…
What's next? I can't wait to do the cabin
top… Big job… YEAH!!
??
Another problem soon to face is a cockpit canopy. We like the idea of visual access over the top of the main cabin so
the extension type won’t do for us. Neighbour Malcolm Salisbury is working on one for his Crowther Catana, Coconut
Airlines, and though we may want ours lower, the aluminium frame and Polycore top may be a good solution for our
boat. So we’ll keep an eye on his progress as well as another boat in the harbour, Giddy-up go who is doing
something similar. If theirs works out well, we will shamelessly steal the plans!
Coming to Mooloolaba? Need work done? Check us out!
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Orana St. Buddina, QLD. 4575
Ph/Fx: (07) 5478 0750 Mob: 0414 745 276
email: nwandsons@pacifictelco.com.au
FOR DIESEL BUG BUSTER CALL:
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1800 034 442
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Townsville: (07) 4721 5588 (Reliance Oil) Cairns: (07) 4035 2538 (MTUDDA)
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The Coastal Passage #45 2010 Page 29