Tremolino tales

Topsides are now mostly glassed, just a few small areas to complete before fairing it's not an absolutely perfect job but it should be adequate. Strangely enough the cockpit area and rear bulkhead are glassed but the coachroof around the companionway missed out when it was done previously. The gunwale strips and coachroof sides have all been reinforced with double bias glass and the decks sheathed in 200gsm plain weave. I've decided against recessing my little acrylic windows. I'm just keen to get it done and back on the water now.

 

It looks good Corley..the little windows do add to the overall character....hmm I'll add that to the in coupla years list..ha

 

I've started fairing up the topsides now but didn't take any photos. I had a bad start where my micro balloon fairing mix sagged when it was curing. I'm adding in 5% cabosil now which seems to make a firmer mix that doesn't become less viscous when curing.

 

Use cabosil as sparingly as possible, it makes the mix really tough to sand. Much better to simply allow the mix to partly " thicken " by leaving it to sit for 10 minites or so depending on the cure rate of the epoxy. Anyway you must have too much epoxy in the mix for it to slump. I quite often find that you need to stir in the micro balloons until it looks too dry, wait a 5 minutes and it seems to wet out to the right mix.

 

I have some great Tremolino memories on one of the originals with the Hobie rig and amas. It's a great boat and one of my favorite designs. Amazing upwind.