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  1. tpenfield

    iBoats login drinking game

    OK, I'm ready . . . .
  2. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    It's a good thing that I pulled the outdrives . . . . A barnacle had lodged in the water passage at the bell housing. A similar thing to an issue I had a couple of years ago. The other outdrive was fine.
  3. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Mechanical fastening update . . . There are a total of 26 bolts which will hold the swim platform to the boat, along with the adhesive. I got 18 of them done today, so 8 more to go. Here are a couple of pictures of the underside where all the support hardware resides. Here are the 8...
  4. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Here is a better picture of the seam . . .
  5. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    It's installed . . . At least the adhesive is done. Still got to do the hardware and fasteners underneath. Here are a few update pictures . . . . Here is a close-up of the seam where the platform meets the stern of the boat. . I have about 200 lbs of water and other stuff holding the...
  6. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Test Fitting . . . I did a test fitting of the platform to see if it needs any trimming or adjustments prior to applying the 4200 UV adhesive. I had to make the holes in the existing swim deck elongated since the sides are a tight fit. Here are a couple of pictures . . . . I was about 1/4"...
  7. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Update . . . I have bee taking some vacation days to keep the progress on the platform . . . I'm also pretty much max'ed out on my vacation accrual, so I have to take some days or loose them. Anyway, today was lots and lots of measuring and some cutting. I was about 3/4" off on my curvature...
  8. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    De-Molding Update . . . I got the platform out of the mold this AM. As was the case with pulling the mold from the plug, the platform pretty much trashed the mold. Overall results look OK, although a few 'dry' spots that I will want to touch up with some resin & gelcoat. Here are a few first...
  9. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Final Fiberglassing . . . There was a channel around the perimeter of the slab portion of the platform that I needed to fill. I used woven roving strands to fill the void, along with some resin and 1708 over it. In other news, I may be looking at a BMW 5-series tomorrow. Couldn't seem to...
  10. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Update . . . I have the foam 'blocks' all filled and shaped . . . Setting up the infusion . . . I have both vacuum pumps going. There were a few leaks and having the extra volume helped find them. I'll probably wait until Sunday AM to infuse the resin.
  11. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    OK, it's been a couple of weeks . . . so time for a quick update. I put together the 'skinning' for the rear portion of the platform . . . These will get filled with pour-in foam and then shaped. Once it is all shaped, I will set up another infusion and put a layer of glass over . That...
  12. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I think I'll go with thru-bolts and not mess around with inserts. So the design will look something like this. . . I simplified the outer areas a bit. I'm going to try to do resin infusion, or at least vacuum bag this, so I get good conformity to the irregular shapes.
  13. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Here is my thinking (wire frame drawing) of a box structure for the aft section of the platform. It would be a bit easier if not for the 4 locations where the ladders have to attach (thru-bolts) . My plan is to create these shapes with 1/2" foam (urethane) that I have on hand and then fill...
  14. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Update . . . Here are the pylon supports after vacuum bagging the glass (1708) onto the surface. Still needs to be trimmed. . . Now I got to figure out some 'structure' to box in the rear edge, to better support the ladders and stiffen the platform overall.
  15. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Speaking of stronger . . . I decided to add a 'support' to the pylons to tie the side into the rest of the platform. This should also stiffen things up a bit ( I hope ) :) Here are the foam cores all cut and shaped. . . I glassed both sides using a vacuum bag. Once the resin cures, I'll be...
  16. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I like using 24 oz Woven Roving, because it is wicked strong and shapes well. The only problem with it is that when you cut pieces for small layup it easy frays around the perimeter. I have a trick that I'll share . . . not sure if anyone else uses this sort of technique . I lightly spray the...
  17. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Here are the bevel pieces, which will (hopefully) stiffen the area of the step-down. I plan on glassing them in with 24 oz WR. .
  18. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Progress update . . . I have the core laid down and glassed in. I've tried a few techniques with wetting out the 1708 cloth. It seems to be getting better. Here are a few pictures . . . . . I have the remaining 'embedded' hardware installed, just got to clean up around the studs a bit. So...
  19. tpenfield

    Outdrive leaking oil from back side of dribble valve

    :welcome: to iBoats . . . The valve itself looks like this, but the fitting on the back side is this . . . Which threads into the bell housing. If the leak is from the back side, it may be the hose/clamp/fitting and not the valve itself. The oil tube does not connect directly to the...
  20. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    This is what I don't like about hand layup . . . . . Horizontal surfaces are fine, but vertical surfaces can be a challenge. These areas were completely wet out and rolled, but they developed air pockets during the cure. Vacuum bagging / infusion is trickier in some regards, but the glass is...
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