Bruce Roberts Fibreglass Panel building method for one off motor cruise

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by Russ Clark, Jun 14, 2018.

  1. Russ Clark
    Joined: Jun 2018
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    Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex

    Russ Clark New Member

    Hi, I read Bruce Roberts Boat Building book and the illustrations on Fibreglass panel building method which looks straightforward to me. Some of the photos show Catamarans, however, it seems that this method can be used for most motor cruiser type boats. So, really looking for your sound advice on the following: For a basic 30ft / 40ft motor cruiser, I was thinking of using 9ft X 6ft (approx) shuttering, normally used to enclose building sites. I can obtain these 2nd hand and which are not warped. My idea would be to trace the plans and lines onto these flat sheets at numerous stations of say 2ft apart, to cover the entire hull length - obviously levelled and braced. The hull lines would be wider to allow for thin softwood battens and mould lining material. Using cutting patterns from the plans, I would use melamine/shiny hardboard to line the curves and shapes of the boat hull, then fill gaps, and use plaster / filler for any large curves in the hull shape. I would then sand and prep the area and paint with Mould Paint and buff this until a shiny finish was achieved. Bruce Roberts panel method details how the laying up of Fibreglass panels is achieved similar to threads already on this site. Is this achievable and are their any Youtube, or recent photos of the process. Any advice, direction avised . Cheers . Russ
     
  2. Richard Woods
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Location: Back full time in the UK

    Richard Woods Woods Designs

    Lots of designers use solid glass or foam sandwich flat panels, it not a new technique and certainly not a Bruce Roberts idea. I built my first flat panel grp hulled catamaran in 1979/80 and Derek Kelsall was doing similar things for years before that.

    Not sure if you mean a male or a female mould. Obviously the female mould is preferable as you don't need to sand the outside surface.

    if you build separate flat panels then you want to add flanges all round so that the joints are recessed and don't make bumps

    at least one of my flat panel powercat builders frequents this forum

    Richard Woods of Woods Designs

    www.sailingcatamarans.com
     
  3. Russ Clark
    Joined: Jun 2018
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    Location: Eastbourne, East Sussex

    Russ Clark New Member

    Thanks for this. If you have any Designers where I can view recent photos of Panel Female Moulding and associated designs, that would be great.
    Being new to this, I cannot seem to locate this design method. Any help appreciated . Thx . Russ
     
  4. Richard Woods
    Joined: Jun 2006
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    Likes: 175, Points: 63, Legacy Rep: 1244
    Location: Back full time in the UK

    Richard Woods Woods Designs


  5. Tad
    Joined: Mar 2002
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    Location: Flattop Islands

    Tad Boat Designer

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