Foam core in a female mould

Discussion in 'Fiberglass and Composite Boat Building' started by Highwater, Jun 12, 2009.

  1. Highwater
    Joined: Jun 2009
    Posts: 5
    Likes: 0, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: Australia

    Highwater Junior Member

    I am looking at building a 12' outboard dinghy. I want to cut the bottom and side panels and set them in a building jig to make a female mould. I want to use epoxy/glass in the mould, then foam, then epoxy/glass. This way I don't have hours of filling and fairing.

    What do I coat my mdf female mould with so the epoxy does not stick?

    Would laminex do the job better than mdf (but it is expensive)?

    Other than vacuum bagging, how do I get a strong bond between foam and glass/epoxy? Use weight, turn hull on its side and use weights?

    Can anyone direct me to a plan for a foam/sandwich dinghy of 12' that takes up to 15hp?

    Mike
     
  2. AndrewK
    Joined: Mar 2007
    Posts: 490
    Likes: 51, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 344
    Location: Australia

    AndrewK Senior Member

    Highwater,

    Unless you are going to use vacuum I would not bother building a proper mold.
    I would make a batten mold with say 5 stations, wire and screw the foam panels in position, glass oneside remove from mold and glass the other. Reinforce the sheer by glassing a timber batten to the outside, install the seating and thats it.
    A friend made one using 6mm foam and 450gDB and polyester resin, this has turned out to be an excellent dinghy.
     
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