CATAMARAN BUILD: From Seams to Smooth - Cabin Top Progress Continues
From three pieces into one, we're now continuing work on our cabin top. A coat of primer brings our cabin top seams closer to disappearing—plus adds vital UV protection to the fairing work beneath.
In this week's video we turn to work on the exterior and transform our cabin top even more. After it has gone from three pieces into one, I begin the process of priming to blend it all in together and protect our seams from UV damage. Last fall, as soon as we were moved outside from the tent, Matt went through with our TotalFair and started to blend the fiberglass seams into the cabin top. It was one layer of protection against the elements, but that is where it has sat for the past six months.
Now that we're heading into spring (and before we know it, summer) with a strong sun beating down on our cabin top, we need to have it even more protected. With a sunny and warm (yet windy!!) day last Saturday, I took the opportunity to move us further along. Sanding down the most recent coat of fairing compound, I took off any rough edges and keyed the surface. Then, mixing up 24 oz of our AlexSeal Finish Primer, I rolled three coats on to each side.
This was just a very rough beginning step, but standing back, the difference of watching these three pieces become a whole is quite noticeable! I can't wait to work on in more as the weather allows.
Speaking of 'just the right weather', as we sit in the 50s & 60s (10's -20) right now, it's the perfect time to don Tyvex and tackle jobs where fiberglass dust is involved. Since there are just SO MANY SEAMS on the exterior of our boat which need to be addressed, I start the process of removing gelcoat from the hull sides where the two pieces are bonded together. This will later allow us to add a thin strip of fiberglass and then blend the two sections together.
Let me tell you, I'm not used to having my arms above my chest for any length of time, and even though I'm using the smallest of belt sanders, this job has been TOUGH!!
One step closer to making these pieces a whole though, so you won't hear me complain! We hope you enjoy!!
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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From three pieces into one, we’re now continuing work on our cabin top. A coat of primer brings our cabin top seams closer to disappearing—plus adds vital UV protection to the fairing work beneath.
In this week’s video we turn to work on the exterior and transform our cabin top even more. After it has gone from three pieces into one, I begin the process of priming to blend it all in together and protect our seams from UV damage. Last fall, as soon as we were moved outside from the tent, Matt went through with our TotalFair and started to blend the fiberglass seams into the cabin top. It was one layer of protection against the elements, but that is where it has sat for the past six months.
Now that we’re heading into spring (and before we know it, summer) with a strong sun beating down on our cabin top, we need to have it even more protected. With a sunny and warm (yet windy!!) day last Saturday, I took the opportunity to move us further along. Sanding down the most recent coat of fairing compound, I took off any rough edges and keyed the surface. Then, mixing up 24 oz of our AlexSeal Finish Primer, I rolled three coats on to each side.
This was just a very rough beginning step, but standing back, the difference of watching these three pieces become a whole is quite noticeable! I can’t wait to work on in more as the weather allows.
Speaking of ‘just the right weather’, as we sit in the 50s & 60s (10’s -20) right now, it’s the perfect time to don Tyvex and tackle jobs where fiberglass dust is involved. Since there are just SO MANY SEAMS on the exterior of our boat which need to be addressed, I start the process of removing gelcoat from the hull sides where the two pieces are bonded together. This will later allow us to add a thin strip of fiberglass and then blend the two sections together.
Let me tell you, I’m not used to having my arms above my chest for any length of time, and even though I’m using the smallest of belt sanders, this job has been TOUGH!!
One step closer to making these pieces a whole though, so you won’t hear me complain! We hope you enjoy!!
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