Building Our Custom Helm Seat - Foam, Glass & Vacuum Bagging (MJ Sailing - Ep 364)
This week, we’re diving into a project that’s been quietly taking shape in the background: building our helm seat from scratch.
While it might seem like a small piece of the boat, it plays a major role in both comfort and functionality—so we wanted to get it just right. Inspired by the layout of the Max Cruise hull 16, but aiming for something much lighter, we decided to build ours entirely out of foam and fiberglass—no metal frame and no extra weight.
In this episode, we take you through the full process: from cutting and laminating Nida-core panels, to bonding and shaping the seat, and laying down multiple layers of glass using both vinyl-ester and polyester resin. You'll even get a peek into one of our vacuum bagging sessions, complete with that oddly satisfying whoosh as the bag seals down tight.
While we were hoping to get the seat attached to the cabin top before releasing this video, we had a somewhat unexpected trip home. There was a memorial service to attend for a family member - so back to Michigan we went. And after a few days with family, bonding over old memories, the two of us took a side trip to Northern Michigan to relive some old memories of our own. We hope you enjoy!!
Thanks as always for being here and supporting us through each stage of this build. We love having a place like this where we can share not just the progress, but also the quiet moments and the why behind every decision. 💙
MJ Sailing
From Arctic ice in a custom aluminum monohull to building a high-performance 42ft catamaran, Matt and Jessica of MJ Sailing define technical excellence.
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Building Our Custom Helm Seat - Foam, Glass & Vacuum Bagging (MJ Sailing - Ep 364) Locations
- Kent Island (38.9373391,-76.3289941)
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