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  1. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Yup, I was thinking that these folks were armchair experts, but just wanted to check. Meanwhile, I have done some checking on how Formula attaches the ESP's to their boats . . . Here is an example of a factory platform: And here is the view from underneath . . . Looks to be a full...
  2. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Yes, the swim platform may come in contact with turbulent water during acceleration/deceleration to/from a stop. Normally, at rest, the platform will be a few inches above the waterline. So, it is a fair assumption that it may 'catch' some water during times of starting/stopping. I do plan...
  3. tpenfield

    Dogs and boats

    Big dogs love boats . . . They can help out with the lines . . . I'd recommend a boarding ladder . . . We generally try to anchor as close to shore as possible. The dog will have to go frequently so you may as well get used to the going ashore routine. Our dog just jumps in and swims since...
  4. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Here is a bit more re-engineering on the underside . . . . .
  5. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Thanks guys . . . Here are a couple more pictures after having done some refinements on the underside of the platform. . I'm thinking that I would not want to do any fiberglassing to the boat itself, purely hardware and adhesives. I am wondering about the Plexus adhesive. Formula uses it for...
  6. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Quick Update: I posted some pictures of my swim platform on the 'boat design net' forum for comment. Nothing earth shattering so far, but several comments/questions on how I plan to attach the platform to the boat. It seems like that is a concern :noidea: . . . It got me thinking more...
  7. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Yes, this started out as a few sheets of 2" rigid foam insulation. I tipped the plug on end today to do some sanding, exposing the underside and all of the rough cut EPS. Yes, I have been filling in slight imperfections and adding some epoxy/glass filler in areas so that I can sand it down...
  8. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Sunday mid-day update . . . I sanded the hatches and put a finish coat of epoxy on them. Here are a couple of pictures . . . . . . They will need a touch of finish sanding.
  9. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Sunday AM Update . . . I sanded the non-skid material to take the 'tops' off the pyramid pattern, so that it will approximate the pattern of the rest of the boat, and be a little easier on the bare feet. :) Here is the regular 'pyramid' pattern . . . . . Here is the pattern with the tops...
  10. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Another update for today . . . I took the bagging off, cleaned up the seepage areas and then re-bagged with a new piece of plastic. Looks like I got a better seal and everything is cleaned up. I probably need to run this into the night. Time to watch NFL Wildcard Football :)
  11. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Saturday Afternoon Update . . . I sanded the areas of the plug that will be getting the non-skid material with 220 grit and then gave both the plug and the non-skid undersides a good wipe with acetone. Then I applied a thin layer of epoxy to both the plug surface and the non-skid underside...
  12. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    I got the non-skid templates laid out on the material . . . . . . . Now to work on the adhesion process. I am going to go with Scott's suggestion of vacuum bagging to provide uniform pressure on the non-skid sections while the epoxy cures. I still have some finish work to do on the hatches...
  13. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Jan 5th (2019) Morning Update: I was up before the sun today to get a jump on the swim platform plug work. I have been working on the hatches to form raised areas around where the grab handles will attach. These areas will provide a bit of extra strength and form a pocket on the underside of...
  14. tpenfield

    My boat is taking water ! About 2 gallons per hour, regularly ...

    It sounds like you also loosened or removed the trim cylinder manifold in the process :noidea: . So the gasket area may be the source of your leak.
  15. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Epoxy Top Coat . . . I did some final sanding and then an acetone wipe down in preparation for the epoxy top coat. This is just straight epoxy, no filler. Hand brushed on and now letting it cure. Here is a picture of the plug. . . I am still working on the ladder hatches. I plan on adding...
  16. tpenfield

    Custom Fiberglass Extended Swim Platform

    Update (Dec 29, 2018) Lots and lots of sanding . . . not my favorite thing to do, but it needs to be done. Here are a few pictures of the sanding. . . I had some 40 grit disks for my orbital sander. So I used those and then went over everything with 100 grit mesh. There are still a few touch...
  17. tpenfield

    My Winter Hobby

    Today was OPE (Outdoor Power Equipment) day at my house. I had the 2 snowblowers out running for a while (sans snow :) ), also the chain saw going and I cut down a few small trees. Then I ran small utility generator for a while. All of this, just to keep some fuel running through them :thumb...
  18. tpenfield

    My Winter Hobby

    I found a better location to mount the light. Not sure why I didn't think if it in the first place. :noidea: . Of course there is no snow in the forecast. It was 60 F here yesterday . . . about the same temp as in Florida. :) Maybe in a couple of weeks things will swing the other way and...
  19. tpenfield

    My Winter Hobby

    I hope so :D I installed the light just now and got everything hooked up. Here are a couple of pics . . . . . I fastened the electronics box to the pulley cover and the light to a metal flange near the starter motor. . . The light is a bit low, so the bucket casts a long shadow. I could...
  20. tpenfield

    My Winter Hobby

    Update, The LED utility light arrived today. So I hooked it up just to see if it would work. . . It sure did :) . . . It seems quite bright and barely flickers at idle speed. The volt meter registered 7.75 volts at idle and about 7.9 volts at running RPM. On the oscilloscope, the DC line...
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