Waratah; Fitting out started...

[Wynand N]

For those whom have asked for an update on the Dix 43 under construction; yes we are still going strong and spent some time on the following since last posted.

4000kg lead was poured in the keel and sealed. Then all holes, supports etc etc were cut and weld into the hull as needed for fitting out. The hull then received a second coat of epoxy primer, two coats of brown epoxy on the inside followed by a white Ceramic thermal insulation paint, applied in two thick coats.

Tanks were sorted out and sealed and the bulkheads are going in as now. Bad thing is the fact that the panels have to be cut down to fit through the companion way, and rejoined inside the hull again and that takes some time.

The first deck fittings went on deck and by next week she will look like a boat on deck. BTW, the deck now sports a grey colour that is the tie coat between the primer and top coats to come.

We stopped work for a week recently and everyone were used to get the new factory together we had acquired next door for our fibreglass production boat we just started tooling now.

Some interesting facts about the epoxy paints used on the boat thus far.

Epoxy primer used in total - 120 liters
Epoxy Coal Tar base coats - 35 liters
Epoxy grey tie coat - 15 liters
Ceramic thermal insulation - 80 liters
Epoxy thinners - 35 liters
Epoxy Fairing filler 12kg effectively on hull and deck

[Manie B]

Beautifull

Beautifull

Beautifull

please tell us what is going to happen "next door"

are you starting to build your little sailer for you and the missus????

[Manie B]

our fibreglass production boat

whats up doc

[Wynand N]

Manie, we are getting ready to tool the 6 meter trailer/day sailor I had designed recently after toying with the idea a couple of years now.

She is very similar to the Melges 20, but the transom is totally different and sports a small cabin for occasional sleeping space for two people. The keel retracts vertically and ballast is on a bulb on the tip. Draft varies from 0.4 - 1.5 meters and with the keel up, easily to load and launch from a trailer.

Unlike the Melges, she will have no carbon fibre mast, spinnaker pole, etc, but aluminum sections instead. Then again she will cost considerably less than the imported Melges...

Finally, she was designed with no rule in mind, other than to be a fast, safe and fun boat, with the emphasis on affordability.

[Manie B]

Best of luck with the new build

Melges sure are purdy

http://www.melges20.com/

hopefully you could export them

our bloomin folks are too lazy just to even go to the dam