Some progress this week:
More fairing, trying to get some of the pin holes filled on the surface. These are a result of air trapped between the laminate and the mold during the infusion process. We added a flange at the bow. This will provide a surface for some thickened epoxy for bonding to the deck. Once the deck is on, we'll through bolt the chainplate for the headstay here and get even more integrity at the bow. The flange will be scuffed up and trimmed back some when the deck is fitted.

A flange was also added at the stern to receive the deck. The deck part was trimmed short. This flange will tie in the deck to the hull, then require some additional reinforcement and fairing.

note where deck terminates

Next, we'll add an Anderson bailer just aft of the centerboard trunk on centerline.



Greetings,

The purpose of this blog is to share some of what's involved in getting our boat ready for the 2013 Everglades Challenge. We are starting with an older wood lightning and a new fiberglass lightning hull and deck. The older boat came well equipped with an aluminum mast, north sails, misc deck hardware and a somewhat intact steel centerboard. This is Sonar (sitting) and I before the start of the North Carolina Challenge 2012

The new hull came with centerboard trunk, seating, floatation and some transverse structure in the bottom. The hull is epoxy infused biaxial fabric with structural foam core, as is the deck. I believe the laminate is in accordance with the lightning class rules. This hull and deck also came on a serviceable trailer.

There is quite a bit of work to do in the next couple months leading up to the start March 2, 2012. We are fortunate to have access to indoor heated shop space in order to complete the project. We are in the process of filling and fairing the Centerboard and fairing the hull. The centerboard slot has been cut into the hull. The skeg is lightly glued in place, and will be permanently attached with epoxy, then tabbed in with some +-45 along both sides to reinforce the attachment.

Some mods to the boat will include a robust set of oar locks and a kick up rudder. More photos and updates to come.