My 24' Launch

Got a Steamboat? Then put a link and pictures in here and let us know about updates etc.
S. Weaver
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead
Posts: 353
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Boat Name: SL Iona

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by S. Weaver » Sun Oct 09, 2011 10:56 pm

Sanding, sanding, sanding ... Here's the bow aspect after much orbital sanding. Still some hand work to do and then the cloth goes on!
Attachments
Bow1.jpg
Bow1.jpg (102.41 KiB) Viewed 13767 times
Steve
User avatar
Rainer
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead
Posts: 305
Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2009 5:42 pm
Boat Name: Emma and Molly
Location: Hannover, Germany
Contact:

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by Rainer » Sun Oct 09, 2011 11:48 pm

Looks great!

What is your tip to avoid to much sanding?
Anything you would do better with the next boat?
Or is this something you can not avoid with this method?
S. Weaver
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead
Posts: 353
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Boat Name: SL Iona

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by S. Weaver » Mon Oct 10, 2011 12:59 am

Rainer wrote:Looks great!
Thanks, Rainer.
Rainer wrote:What is your tip to avoid too much sanding?
Do as much sanding as possible before the first coat of epoxy. Epoxy is difficult to sand. "Only apply enough epoxy with the first coat to occupy the air spaces around the cells without too much surface build up." (WEST epoxy text book)
Rainer wrote:Anything you would do better with the next boat?
Or is this something you can not avoid with this method?
The method is labor intensive. On this, Devlin, Brewer, Parker and the WEST text agree. But with regard to any good finish, one cannot sand too much. The key is to fair the wood as much as possible so the fibreglass cloth lays fair. Then, in order not to sand away the 'glass, they recommend doing all of the coating of the glass cloth in one siege - coat following coat while the epoxy is green in order to achieve a chemical bond until the cloth is completely filled.

So now I'm finishing up the sanding, cutting the cloth, labeling it and storing in rolls and planning the 36 to 48 hours I'll need to cover the boat in one big gotterdamerung. :D
Steve
Johnlanark
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead
Posts: 114
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 9:09 pm
Boat Name: No Boat Yet
Location: Scotland

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by Johnlanark » Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:44 pm

Hi Steve your boat looks great - a very pleasing curvey front end. Thanks for posting the pics of your stern tube too.

I am also a member of a Yahoo group for builders of Selway Fisher designs. The word there is that using West's peel ply over your wet epoxy sheathing greatly reduces the sanding afterwards and is well worth considering. One of those things that doesn't seem important but works very well in practice. May be worth looking into.
John
S. Weaver
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead
Posts: 353
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Boat Name: SL Iona

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by S. Weaver » Wed Oct 12, 2011 5:02 pm

John:

It's true - peel-ply is a good product. It still needs to be sanded for tooth for glazing and what follows. I'll be doing minimal sanding after covering in order not to damage the fabric, and then doing filler build-ups for panel seams and what not ...
Steve
S. Weaver
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead
Posts: 353
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Boat Name: SL Iona

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by S. Weaver » Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:15 pm

... Still sanding. It is worth it to see the smooth finish.

Picked up this prop cheap on eBay for experimentation. It's a 21 x 26 RH
Attachments
prop.jpg
prop.jpg (114.57 KiB) Viewed 13625 times
Steve
merump
Just Starting Out
Just Starting Out
Posts: 5
Joined: Thu Dec 08, 2011 1:58 am

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by merump » Mon Dec 12, 2011 8:41 am

Thanks for sharing this. I am very excited to start my very own project as well along with a couple of friends. I will take note of your instructions and keep you posted as well for any updates! Thanks for sharing it!

Homer
S. Weaver
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead
Posts: 353
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Boat Name: SL Iona

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by S. Weaver » Tue Dec 13, 2011 9:25 pm

Homer:

Best of luck to you. If you're doing wood/epoxy construction for the first time, be sure to read all of the masters; it is not for the faint of heart. The WEST textbook is perhaps the most important tome to have, but I have also found Devlin, Moore and Parker to be helpful for various emphasis and techniques.
Steve
S. Weaver
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead
Posts: 353
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Boat Name: SL Iona

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by S. Weaver » Sun Feb 12, 2012 11:39 pm

Base hull epoxy paint coat layers on hold due to cold shop temperatures, so I am starting to dismantle the engine to see what I have. Last evening, I lovingly removed the drain cocks, cylinder lagging, throttle inlet and receiver. From peering into the LP and HP steam chest inlets and exhaust ports, I don't believe the engine has ever run on steam.
Steve
S. Weaver
Full Steam Ahead
Full Steam Ahead
Posts: 353
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 4:23 pm
Boat Name: SL Iona

Re: My 24' Launch

Post by S. Weaver » Sun Feb 19, 2012 11:24 pm

Here's a post of the front side of the cylinder casting.
Attachments
Front Cyl Casting (2) Resize.JPG
Front Cyl Casting (2) Resize.JPG (196.08 KiB) Viewed 13403 times
Steve
Post Reply