Sanding the flair?

PressureDrop · #1 06-04-2002, 05:00 PM

im about to being the "sand, fill, sand fill..." process and am wondering how im going to be able to sand the flare in the front the boat, anyone who has does this could you tell me what i need to do it and where i can get it? thanks

Ben

PressureDrop · #2 06-06-2002, 06:40 PM

desperado - Welcome to the forum!!!!!, thanks for trying to help but i totally did not follow that, maybe to pictures would help, what about a "soft pad" sander?

Desperado · #3 06-06-2002, 07:12 PM

Ben

Sorry for the confusing instructions. It's definitely easier to show than to write about it. Let's start with what you have. Is the hull in this area in good shape or have repairs been done? If the hull is in good shape and close to fair, a soft pad may work fine. I'd say a 6" diameter pad max though, 5" might be better. You want the whole pad to stay in contact with the surface at all times. This method is certainly easier but to get it close to perfect you have to work with the board. Just depends on how good you want it to look.

What size is your boat?

PressureDrop · #4 06-06-2002, 10:29 PM

Desperado - its a 20 Seafari and aside from blisters on the bottom (which ill deal with later) the hull side are very smoother, but im a perfectionist, so i want em nice, is the board method used for applying fairing putty? or sanding? i just got a proter cable 5'' random orbital, where could i get a soft pad for this? thanks

Ben

P.S. - im in west palm, maybe ill come down there sometime and you can show me how its done

Desperado · #5 06-07-2002, 01:05 AM

Ben

I'm new to the board but I figured I'd jump in on this one because it's what I do a good bit of the time. You're going to need a flexible fairing board about 2" wide. You can buy these or you can make one yourself out of 1/4" plywood. The bad news is this is not easy. I hope your shoulders are in good shape ( I'm assuming the boat is right side up). Sand at 45 degree angles from chine to shear. Sand in one direction and then the other so your pattern is an X. Keep the board flat against the hull so you don't dig in. Using guide coat helps to see what's going on with the high and low spots.

It's tough but it's worth the effort when that shiny paint gets on there. Good luck and I hope this helps.

Desperado · #6 06-07-2002, 10:58 AM

Ben

Good choice on the sander. I have that one as well and it's been going strong for about 4 years now.

That's good news that the hull is in good shape. That will make it much easier. I use the board as well as a variety of sanding blocks pretty much exclusively on the hull. The board is for sanding. It allows you to carry a true line over a greater distance. Same as a sanding block just bigger.

If you can make it down to Pompano, I'll be glad to show you how to do it. I normally work on Saturdays but check with me before you come.

I'll check on some sources for pads for that sander. Did it come with a hard pad? That's very useful too.

PressureDrop · #7 06-07-2002, 06:34 PM

Desperado - i sanded the back of the hull and the transom today with the pad that came with it, and it was fine, however the pad is not soft/thick enough to flex for the flair so that it will sit flat and even, any ideas?

Desperado · #8 06-08-2002, 12:04 PM

Ben

I know I had a soft pad for mine at one point. Check with your local tool shop that carries porter cable tools and see if they have anything. Probably a specialty shop, I don't think Home Depot would carry it. If that doesn't pan out check with an automotive paint shop and tell them what you're looking for. They should be able to help you out with an aftermarket pad.

I remember the one I had didn't hold up very well but it got abused.

Does the Seafari have the cuddy up front? Is it big enough to get inside and take a nap? I've never seen one of those up close. Just wondering how it is layed out.

PressureDrop · #9 06-08-2002, 03:40 PM

Yes. the seafari has the cuddy, it has the usual 6'6'' head room and then an anchor locker. it could sleep 2 in a pinch, since were all guys (me, dad and brother) we have a freshwater tank mounted on the floor of the cuddy instead of a potty. its in supprisinly good shape for a 70' except it has a blister problem, i think it was mabye sunk once, eeekkk. ill post pics when i get em on the computer. any ideas on how to get a windlass off that has been epoxyed and/or 5200'ed on?

Ben

P.s. - do you have a seacraft?!?! lets hear about it!

Scott · #10 06-10-2002, 12:22 AM

Hey Ben

I too have that sander and mine came with a 5" pad I think backed with neoprene so to avoid digging into your work if you were not flat against it....I'll look to see if this is true and if you need I will look up the place I bought it off the internet (They sell the 5 and 6" replacement discs for that sander).

The other suggestion that Desperado had about the fairing board is also a great way to get the hull smooth. Like he said get real thin ¼” plywood about 2" wide and as long as you want 12-18" and put a hand hold on either end. 3M sells sand paper at that width in rolls (think west marine has it in their catalog). Then as you look at the hull think of it as the face of a clock and point one end of your fairing board at say 2 the other follows at 8. (your moving in the direction of 2 and 8) Stay on that plane as you work left to right and then switch to 10 and 4 ....this makes your "x" pattern. Get a can of spray paint and lightly spray the hull to get it "Dirty" as if the boat had gotten oversprayed (use a different color from your hull so you can easily see it and don’t spray it on heavy…. just “speckle” the hull with the paint). This way as you sand you can tell where you've sanded and if you have high/low points in the surface of the hull...when the opposing color is gone you should be real close to "fair". I've used it and it works nice ....but it is a lot of work!!!This should work great for the flair in the bow of the boat

Desparado……I hope I’m not putting you on the spot with this question and do not intend to do that….but….I was on your site and I saw the 1972 23 for sale…..curious…you make a comment about “fixing the complaints of the original design….” please share with us what you’ve done and what those complaints were. I have an idea of what your speaking of …..just curious if I’m on the right track. I would really love to see more pictures of that boat!!!!
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