The Plytanic 2.0 - FS17 Build

[narfi]

Your panels look symmetrical....
Can you hang your side panels on and see how it looks?

I would think if they look good, then you could grind a little down on the points touching and fill a little extra in the gaps without any real issues?

[silentneko]

They are symmetrical, but the butted joints are just a bit off square. So I squeeze one end and it's way off on the other. Upwards of 3/4". I can reshape them by hand, but then they won't match the framing cause I'll have to grind away a lot. I guess I can just fill it all in with thickened epoxy? Not thrilled about that option though.

[jacquesmm]

Looking at your previous picture with the panels flat on the ground, the picture with the jugs on the tape splice, I see a flat line along the keel side curve.
That is probably a large part of the gap.


IMHO this is an acceptable gap. I would keep going.
Do not worry about the panels fitting perfectly on the frames. That will happen especially close to the bow. The frames will support the panel but at this point we car mostly about fairness.
Another point to pay attention to is the droopy bow. Pull the tip of the bow back with a line or use a bow mold.
I think I see a bow mold, not certain.

[Jeff]

Build on Silentneko!!!! Jeff

[silentneko]

It looks flat, but it's a subtle curve there. The issue starts further back at the joint of the 2 panels. I can knock down the point a bit more and fit it better. Is it OK to fill in a large gap with epoxy thickened with wood flour and milled fibers? Or will it create an issue later on?

[Jaysen]

I may be slower than a box of rocks covered in molasses sitting on Fuzz’s door step, but I don’t see the problem there. Is it the gap?

[silentneko]

Yes, it's quite a bit more then the 1/4" typically deemed acceptable. It also goes down most of the keel. I can make it work, but it's going to take a significant more amount of resin and filler. I'll have to get some backing under it so it doesn't just fall through. I'm formulating a plan here, lol.

[Jaysen]

Packing tape. Stitch it all together and use some tape on one side to prevent fall out. Use wood scraps to fill really wide spots and then thickened epoxy like normal.

If that didn’t work, quite a number of these boats wouldn’t be floating.

[jacquesmm]

Yes it is more than most gaps but it is not a big deal.
If you think that you can solve the problem by trimming the spots where the panels push against each other, do it.
If not, later when you fiberglass the inside, add a layer or two of biaxial tape along that seam, over the gap.

Also, things may even out when you add the side panel.

[silentneko]

I think I'll end up doing both. Reshape a bit, and add some extra cloth on the inside. This is the major hump, once I get past this basic shaping the rest of the build I know will be more fun. I'm even looking forward to fairing to a good work boat finish.