Trying to be unemotional, but WOW! I MAY BE SAILING SOON!

[Chotu]

So my “helper” (who is a smart guy that has boats and a marine background) has just completed a major glassing job in EPOXY on the boat and it went well!

I’m banished from the boat currently and he’s doing the forward structural bulkheads that transfer the forestay load to the hulls through the forward crossbeam.

He did a good job!

It was a complex glassing job with cove joints / fillets and a biax pad for the bolts of the crossbeam to go through.

Looks good and looks like it’ll certainly take the load of the forestay. Or actually half the load since there are a pair of these.


I have a metal guy all lined up to finish up the mast extension and hardware for the forward crossbeam. I’m talking to him Monday.

I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high but I’m DAMN excited it’ll be time to sail soon. Even if it is with the old triangle top main that came with my rig for now. I’ll upgrade the sails after some interior work.

Just can’t wait to see how this boat sails.

Picture of the bulkhead attached. Yes, there are a few voids. I know. Not perfect. But considering I can’t do this job myself, this came out pretty damn good. And I am certain it will hold the forestay load.

[dfelsent]

Congrats! Excited for you.

[wolfgal]

HEY CHOTU!

great news! great news!

so glad things are moving forward and well! you are one determined dude!

hope things going well with your gf too. sending you both a big kiss!

keep up the spirit!



wolfie

[redneckrob]

Originally Posted by Chotu

So my “helper” (who is a smart guy that has boats and a marine background) has just completed a major glassing job in EPOXY on the boat and it went well!

I’m banished from the boat currently and he’s doing the forward structural bulkheads that transfer the forestay load to the hulls through the forward crossbeam.

He did a good job!

It was a complex glassing job with cove joints / fillets and a biax pad for the bolts of the crossbeam to go through.

Looks good and looks like it’ll certainly take the load of the forestay. Or actually half the load since there are a pair of these.


I have a metal guy all lined up to finish up the mast extension and hardware for the forward crossbeam. I’m talking to him Monday.

I’m trying not to get my hopes up too high but I’m DAMN excited it’ll be time to sail soon. Even if it is with the old triangle top main that came with my rig for now. I’ll upgrade the sails after some interior work.

Just can’t wait to see how this boat sails.

Picture of the bulkhead attached. Yes, there are a few voids. I know. Not perfect. But considering I can’t do this job myself, this came out pretty damn good. And I am certain it will hold the forestay load.

First off good news and glad to hear you're getting close. Secondly, have you thought about writing a book about this? Or maybe start with a blog and think about making it a book? For example, I read your post and it got me wondering how you solved your window issues. I'd love to go to the "Melting (slowly) Windows" chapter and read through that whole saga beginning to end. Same with almost any part of the project. You've kind-of almost written most of it in posts here, and you do a good job of making us feel the ups and downs as if we're really there so you're already a good writer. Maybe a niche audience, but I would definitely buy it.

[JPA Cate]

Congrats, Chotu. Keep up the good work. Freedom awaits.

Ann

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by redneckrob

First off good news and glad to hear you're getting close. Secondly, have you thought about writing a book about this? Or maybe start with a blog and think about making it a book? For example, I read your post and it got me wondering how you solved your window issues. I'd love to go to the "Melting (slowly) Windows" chapter and read through that whole saga beginning to end. Same with almost any part of the project. You've kind-of almost written most of it in posts here, and you do a good job of making us feel the ups and downs as if we're really there so you're already a good writer. Maybe a niche audience, but I would definitely buy it.

I certainly have some other topics I could write a book about. Lol there is a lot more craziness that has happened for an autobiography. I can’t even post the half of it. Ha ha ha.

But possibly. Why not?

There were certainly a lot of obstacles that got in the way.

That book might not be coming out for several years because I still have a lot of stuff to work on. I’m looking to acquire a business at some point and also still have a few thousand miles of interior building ahead of me in this boat.

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by dfelsent

Congrats! Excited for you.

Thank you!!

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by wolfgal

HEY CHOTU!

great news! great news!

so glad things are moving forward and well! you are one determined dude!

hope things going well with your gf too. sending you both a big kiss!

keep up the spirit!



wolfie

Thank you so much! Your kind words and support have been actually very helpful during this time. I’m talking like it’s done, but it’s nowhere near done. Ha ha. It’s just exciting to be able to sail. And that’s not even done. It’s just starting to come into sight. FINALLY

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Congrats, Chotu. Keep up the good work. Freedom awaits.

Ann

Thank you, Ann! I’ve always appreciated your insight as well.

[kayakerChuck]

Nice!

I'm glad it's moving forward.

[smj]

Great news! Always good to have someone you can trust to do a good job on your boat.

[belizesailor]

@Chotu

Great news!

How long will the epoxy on the boat need to cure before you can safely be aboard?

[Chotu]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

@Chotu

Great news!

How long will the epoxy on the boat need to cure before you can safely be aboard?

This epoxy job is bulkhead #1. It’s the foremost bulkhead. It’s the one the forward aluminum crossbeam attaches to. It’s a watertight bulkhead (with access panel - you can see the hole).

Aft of that is another watertight bulkhead, walling this entire area off from the main cabin.

The area this picture was taken in is accessed through a hatch in the deck.

So all you have to do is close up that hatch and all of that epoxy deadliness is contained. Six months later, the hatch could be opened up. Maybe eight months when it’s not in the tropical sunshine. And everything will be good in there.

I am trying to do the chain plates as quickly as possible also. So that all of this work can be done at once. Trying to get those chain plates in this week or very early next week.

That work will be painted over with polyester on the inside. As the epoxy cures. That will entomb it, allowing me to come back into the main area.

So I’m off the boat for another week I’m sure.

[belizesailor]

Good. Well, more cautiously...would be a shame to set this back w a bad reaction.

And no reason not to be emotional, this is a big deal for you!

[Redreuben]

Hey Chotu,
way to go, buy your glass guy some peel ply [emoji2]
Are the composite chainplates next ?