Plug material

[bevan]

I need to build a plug for my 5m catamaran that i have designed. can anyone give me some plug materials?. I Have found out that I can't use plywood because it won't bend to make the shape of the bow, because it's not flexible enough.

Thankyou!!!!!!!!!

[slneatboat]

I guess this plug is to make a female mould in which case the frames can be constructed out of 1 inch timber or may be even 3/4 inch ply. Then the hull shape can be formed using M D F board which can be purchased in a variety of sizes from 1/4 inch upwards and it can also be bought with grooves cut on one side of it so it will bend easy.To fill any imperfections just use car body filler, then paint or spray the whole lot with a polyester filler like durabuild which can be purchased in the UK i know but checkout www.duratec1.com .Aerosill or cabosile can be also added to this to make an easy sand filler as required.
I hope this helps as if it is for a female mould it is a lot of work, time and money for one boat perhaps you are starting a buisness?

[slneatboat]

Just to add.
To obtain the shape of the bow you could use thin strips of MDF say 1/4 thick by 6 inches wide and diagonally plank it using plenty of glue and small nails and then fair it in with the rest of the hull.

[turnershells]

I basically built mine like a cedar strip canoe. Works well, and there's lots of info on building. That may be a useful technique in some areas.
Worth noting also that whatevery materials you use, they need to be compatible with the styrene in polyester gelcoats and reinforcing resins, unless you plan on building the final mould completely with epoxy, which is good and expensive. Have fun!

regards,

Matt Turner
Turner Racing Shells Ltd.

www.turnershells.com