FibreGlass deck

[eoinie]

I am working on an old 24' Bermudan Sloop which has a plywood deck. My intention is to remove the rotting deck in one piece, remove fitting and make a fibreglass mould and remake in fibreglass. Trouble is I don't know much about boats! I have experience in using fibreglass for sculpture and I am a qualified mechanical fitter with a lot of experience working with my hands. I think I can do the mould and re-cast of the deck (though I would welcome any guidance). My problem is that I suspect that there is probably a lot more to re-attaching the new deck to the existing fibreglass hull (structural integrity in foul weather for example is a potential disaster area). I also foresee problems of maintaining the correct shape of the hull when the deck is removed. Is there any advice out there on this (apart from telling me not to do it)?

Thanks folks and regards from Ireland

 

[erikgreen]

Re: FibreGlass deck

Wow.

Well, there's advice here about cross bracing the hull with the deck removed to maintain the shape. I'd recommend using either dimensional lumber or threaded rod.

To re-create the top deck in fiberglass, I wouldn't use a mold unless this is being made for production.

A mold that size would take more work to build than the deck itself, and you would probably need equipment to move it around once it's made, then somewhere to store it, or else destroy it.

Instead, I'd recommend using foam core board or planking to prototype the deck shape on a strongback or set of braces, then glass over that, then flip it over and glass the other side. This is a common method for one-off composite hulls and caps.

You wouldn't get a solid fiberglass part, but you'd get something stronger and lighter, and you could spend the time working on the actual boat part instead of the mold.

Erik

PS: Post some pictures.. we don't get many people working on sailboats

 

[oops!]

Re: FibreGlass deck

i agree......

we need pics.....

we can walk you thru anything you want to do to the boat.

but the first thing we need to know is how the cap is fastened on.....

that will give us a starting point......the fabbing is easy as you know, and you can also customize it to anything you want.

large styrofoam blocks carved into shape will also work as a mold. and the can be glued togeather for a one peice section. you can just glass that, and dig the foam for a one off.

read hull extension in progress.....for some ideas,

cheers
oops

 

[eoinie]

Re: FibreGlass deck

Thanks for getting back so quickly. I'm afraid I know very little of nautical terminology but am anxious to make it part of the learning process. So what is a cap? I have loads of photos of all parts of the boat - how do I post them? Do I need to set up an FTP area on a site. I have a site with just a holding page and could probably post them there if there is no facility within the forum.

Thanks again guys - I'm looking forward to your comments etc.

Eoin