Bottoms Up 23 Build

[Kraken]

Rainy day but made the best of it. Molded up three hatch covers. I took some pics showing the process. I’ll pop them tomorrow.

[Crispy167]

kraken,

what type modeling clay are you using - air dry or non drying? thanks for showing the process, hopefully i can recreate some of your great workmanship myself! project is looking good!

[Kraken]

Originally Posted by Crispy167

kraken,

what type modeling clay are you using - air dry or non drying? thanks for showing the process, hopefully i can recreate some of your great workmanship myself! project is looking good!

Found some non drying at a craft store. The stuff leaves a blue residue that is hard to wash off. The clay I got at fiberglass Florida worked the best.

[CoreyTrx]

I use the Super Sculpey original in beige. It's available at the craft store. It works really well.

[Kraken]

I’ve been trying to decide on paint or gelcoat. Pros and cons for both. The primary use for this boat will be diving and spear fishing. It will be trailered. So it will need a real durable finish on the deck, cap, and bottom. The belly band can be paint. Are there better options?

The cap has all the holes filled and the bait well glassed on. Ready for fairing and maybe gelcoat. The outside of the hull is ready too. Just need to finish up the deck / transom wall with a radius and tabbing. Also need to mold up the front hatch cover. I’m getting close to sending it off for final finish.

Did some work on the console I bought at Marine Connection in Stuart. It was only 3/16” thick and had to be reinforced. I added 1/2” coreing and some 1708. I will also install a door and foot rest.

[uncleboo]

Can't wait to see her all shiny!

[KNZ911]

Looking god Scott. Let me know when you are done with your table.

[Kraken]

Has anyone successfully used Plexus MA310? I’m considering using it to bond the liner to the hull. I may also use it to bond the cap to the hull. It requires little surface preparation, fills and spans large gaps, fails after FRP, it’s flexible, and only costs 25$ a cartridge. It’s commonly use in new boat construction. Is there any reason I would want to pull the cap at a later date? Would bonding it make it more solid and perform better. Will bonding the cap reduce the creeks and pops?

<https://www.jamestowndistributors.com/mobileportal/show_product.do?pid=4882&familyName=Plexus+MA+310+ High+Strength+Plastic+Adhesive>

[Kraken]

Originally Posted by KNZ911

Looking god Scott. Let me know when you are done with your table.

Soon. Finishing up the last of the structural glass. I did get the hatches to work with the curved surface.

[DonV]

"I’ve been trying to decide on paint or gelcoat. Pros and cons for both. The primary use for this boat will be diving and spear fishing"

This is the same use as Moose's boat. Check out his bre-build, I think he went went an interior that could be easily repaired versus a real pretty and shiny one.