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  1. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I think I'll go with thru-bolts and not mess around with inserts. So the design will look something like this. . . I simplified the outer areas a bit. I'm going to try to do resin infusion, or at least vacuum bag this, so I get good conformity to the irregular shapes.
  2. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Here is my thinking (wire frame drawing) of a box structure for the aft section of the platform. It would be a bit easier if not for the 4 locations where the ladders have to attach (thru-bolts) . My plan is to create these shapes with 1/2" foam (urethane) that I have on hand and then fill...
  3. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Update . . . Here are the pylon supports after vacuum bagging the glass (1708) onto the surface. Still needs to be trimmed. . . Now I got to figure out some 'structure' to box in the rear edge, to better support the ladders and stiffen the platform overall.
  4. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Speaking of stronger . . . I decided to add a 'support' to the pylons to tie the side into the rest of the platform. This should also stiffen things up a bit ( I hope ) :) Here are the foam cores all cut and shaped. . . I glassed both sides using a vacuum bag. Once the resin cures, I'll be...
  5. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I like using 24 oz Woven Roving, because it is wicked strong and shapes well. The only problem with it is that when you cut pieces for small layup it easy frays around the perimeter. I have a trick that I'll share . . . not sure if anyone else uses this sort of technique . I lightly spray the...
  6. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Here are the bevel pieces, which will (hopefully) stiffen the area of the step-down. I plan on glassing them in with 24 oz WR. .
  7. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Progress update . . . I have the core laid down and glassed in. I've tried a few techniques with wetting out the 1708 cloth. It seems to be getting better. Here are a few pictures . . . . . I have the remaining 'embedded' hardware installed, just got to clean up around the studs a bit. So...
  8. tpenfield

    Outdrive leaking oil from back side of dribble valve

    :welcome: to iBoats . . . The valve itself looks like this, but the fitting on the back side is this . . . Which threads into the bell housing. If the leak is from the back side, it may be the hose/clamp/fitting and not the valve itself. The oil tube does not connect directly to the...
  9. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    This is what I don't like about hand layup . . . . . Horizontal surfaces are fine, but vertical surfaces can be a challenge. These areas were completely wet out and rolled, but they developed air pockets during the cure. Vacuum bagging / infusion is trickier in some regards, but the glass is...
  10. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Update . . . I laid out the core material and secured it (with resin) to the platform. Next step was to embed the 'J' Bolts in the platform. Here are a few pictures . . . Core material laid out. . . I have about 1/2 gallon of resin left, so not really enough to do anything meaningful. So...
  11. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Lamination Update . . . I had Friday off and also took a vacation day today (Monday) to make for a 4-day weekend :) An early start today, working on the lamination of the glass layers and core material. I figured if I could get the large flat area done up to enclosing the core, that would be a...
  12. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Thanks guys for the well wishes. The Admiral is learning to do things with one arm while the other heels. I got the platform de-bagged and did some grinding to clean things up. Here are a few pictures. . . Tomorrow, I plan on adding a layer of glass to the flat areas and laying-up the core pieces.
  13. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I did a 'secondary infusion on the 'wings' this morning by adding resin under vacuum. Hopefully, they wetted out OK. :noidea: . It seems that I am short 1 gallon of resin . . . I thought that I bought 7 gallons, but maybe it was 6 :noidea: Anyway, I have a little under 2 gallons left...
  14. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Evening update. . . The Admiral's arm is not broken :) She'll be wearing a sling for a week or so, but at least no cast. I did the infusion . . . I had trouble getting a good vacuum, but managed to get it done Here are the first few moments . . . . . I had to coax the resin a bit with the...
  15. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Quick update . . . The stretcy bagging material did not work out so well. I think I may have been stretching it too much in some areas and not enough in others :rolleyes: It ended up puncturing. So . . . It's standard bagging material with pleats. I'll probably infuse later this evening...
  16. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Quick update. . . Today was all about 1 step forward, 2 steps back . . . :( :rolleyes: I got the runners laid out and then secured the bagging material over the mold. Unfortunately, I had a bag malfunction and was not able to pull much of a vacuum. I ended up pulling off the bagging...
  17. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I realized something later in the day, yesterday . . . I need to put some flow media (green stuff) between the runner and the peel ply. Otherwise, the resin will be mostly trapped within the runner and not disperse well. . So maybe it is good that I had a break in the action :)
  18. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I spent about 5 hours laying out the glass and the infusion materials today. I put the second coat of gelcoat on the platform mold today and let it cure for about 2 hours, then began the cloth layup. I didn't quite finish with the infusion materials, as I ran out of time. Here are some pictures...
  19. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Schedule update . . . It looks like I am not going to be able to do the platform infusion this weekend, as we have plans for Easter. So, that puts me a little bit behind my 'schedule', but I think I can make up some ground next week. Today, I'll get everything ready for the infusion so that...
  20. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Quick Update - Non-skid surface repair . . . A few areas of the non-skid surface of the hatches got beat up during the 'de-molding' process. Fortunately, I still have the original hatch plugs. So, to repair these areas, I am using the plugs to make an impression of the corresponding damaged...
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