Making Hulls With Molds

[mspring]

Has anyone ever seen how builders make a hull from a mold? I was wondering what would you make the mold out of ? And do they use only one sheet of cloth in the mold to make the outter skin ?

Is it possible to use an old hull as a mold ?

 

[BillP]

Re: Making Hulls With Molds

Material depends on the hull shape but most trailer boat type plugs are made from wood and are glass covered. When finished it looks exactly like the boat but is used only for making a mold. The mold is made off the plug and is heavy laminations of glass and supports to keep it from flexing. Yes, many molds are pulled from old hulls and saves tons of labor.

 

[mspring]

Re: Making Hulls With Molds

They wax the mold, spray it with gelcoat, and how do they make the outter hull layer? One big sheet of cloth?

 

[BillP]

Re: Making Hulls With Molds

The glass comes off rolls that are approx 50" wide...there are different widths and they use whatever size works best with least waste and labor. Glassing is done one piece at a time with overlaps and multiple layers. Usually it's done from stern to bow.