Fiberglass Transome stairs for AFT cabin

[mjkkemper]

I am building a set of stairs leading down to my swimplatform. (86 Carver Aft Cabin)Below is a picture of the plug. I have a quite a bit more work to do ( lip around the bottom edge, Flaring and rounding the corners) anyways this is my second build. The first was a swim platform. The platform was not as complicated in that it was a flat build.

I had a few questions and would most certainly welcome any advice.

My tentative layup schedule is as follows

Polyester gel cot
1 layer of veil – (polyester resin)
1 layer of 1.5 oz. copped mat
1 layer of 3 oz. copped mat
1 layer of bi-axle
1 final layer of 3 oz. mat

No coring material

A few questions
1. Will this be adequate for thickness and durability
2. Will the corners be hard to form the mat and especially the bi-axle around
3. Should I presoak the fiberglass on the sides so that the resin does not puddle at the bottom
4. Should I lay up in sections – sides then bottom. If so will this affect the strength of the stairs

I do not own a chopper gun but if I did (or had someone spay it) would it be better for this particular application? Also if you did use a chopper gun would you hand lay any additional layer or would just spaying a thickness of a ¼ or so be just as strong as a hand lay up

I would appreciate any feedback on the layup schedule and anything else

Thank You

Matt

[tunnels]

Originally Posted by mjkkemper

I am building a set of stairs leading down to my swimplatform. (86 Carver Aft Cabin)Below is a picture of the plug. I have a quite a bit more work to do ( lip around the bottom edge, Flaring and rounding the corners) anyways this is my second build. The first was a swim platform. The platform was not as complicated in that it was a flat build.

I had a few questions and would most certainly welcome any advice.

My tentative layup schedule is as follows

Polyester gel cot
1 layer of veil – (polyester resin)
1 layer of 1.5 oz. copped mat
1 layer of 3 oz. copped mat
1 layer of bi-axle
1 final layer of 3 oz. mat

No coring material

A few questions
1. Will this be adequate for thickness and durability
2. Will the corners be hard to form the mat and especially the bi-axle around
3. Should I presoak the fiberglass on the sides so that the resin does not puddle at the bottom
4. Should I lay up in sections – sides then bottom. If so will this affect the strength of the stairs

I do not own a chopper gun but if I did (or had someone spay it) would it be better for this particular application? Also if you did use a chopper gun would you hand lay any additional layer or would just spaying a thickness of a ¼ or so be just as strong as a hand lay up

I would appreciate any feedback on the layup schedule and anything else

Thank You

Matt

At a rough guess you almost need to double the layup you have written down !! The area where you step on the tread of the stair will flex so i would suggest you put a core on there , a minimum of 9 mm 5 ply with bevelled edges to Glass over . The rule of thimb with Glass parts you walk on is if it moves people will say its weak and you could gett cracking over time !.

[mjkkemper]

here is a picture of the design

[mjkkemper]

finished the last coat of fiberglass on the stairs and demolded

Hung it from the rafters and let gravity do the work




set the stairs up on the platform

[mjkkemper]

pictures of access door to be installed

Planning on bolting it on this comming week end

[mjkkemper]

all finished