PocketShip.net

Here's an idea I'd like to put forward. What about fiberglassing the bilge panels right after they are stitched into place on the keel? This would not only be easier than trying to work the fiberglass panels in between bulkheads and floor joists later, it seems to me it would improve the overall strength of the bilge panels. (Easier to sand too, before the side and topsides panels are in.)

I've looked through the instructions and given it quite a bit of thought--so far I don't see a "fly in the ointment."

Any thoughts?

I just received an email from John Harris who pointed out that the side panels (and perhaps topsides panels but he didn't say that) help shape the bilge panels, so my idea might make that more difficult. So much for that great idea I thought I had!

If you glass the bilge panels before you stitch on the side panels you may not be able to pull the bow together. It is difficult enough with bare wood and requires using hot water and rags in the bow area to soften the wood.

Herb

Well my idea was you would not 'glass them until after you pulled the bow ends together. But anyway John pointed out that further shaping happens to the bilge panels when you install the side panels so that shoots my idea down.

(It occurs to me, though, that the side panels are already 'glassed, so 'glassing the bilge panels after they are installed would make their stiffness more equal to the side panels' stiffness--but I'm not going to pursue it any further. The way it's being done is known to work so we'll leave it at that.)

The other thing is that the bilge fiberglass extends up and onto the floors and up and onto the hull sides. So, you'd lose strength in all of those joints if you 'glassed the bilges before assembling and filleting the rest of the lower hull.