Deconstructive testing!

[rturbett]

This was the first try at making a Shark hull- (mold I made was flawed, hull was unusable)
Fun to look at how well the epoxy and glass held to the balsa core. I'm looking forward to trying again!

balsa core hull

• rturbett
• Jan 31, 2022
• 1

 

[hoytedow]

Do you have a lines plan of what it would be?

 

[rturbett]

I do have the plans for the hull stations-its what i built the mold from.

 

[hoytedow]

How about sharing an image?

 

[fallguy]

What rendered it unusable?

 

[rturbett]

This is the male mould when I built it- it had a three inch bend to the left ( the right side was 3 inches longer than the left) I built one hull off of it to see how the layup worked- glass/ endgrain balsa /glass with some key locations having okume inserts.
Overall, very pleased with the strength and weight of this method. I would do it this way again. There is another Shark mould that I have access to, so no loss in this attempt. Great learning experience. The root cause was that I made a "weak back" instead of a strong back, and did not work evenly on both sides, causing a curve.
I started the project when the first Shark I rebuilt (glass hulls/wooden top) came in at 513 lbs- 63 lbs over class minimum weight. I knew I could do better. New sails made the boat competitive, and this mould has been a piece of art in my basement for too long! I have two more Sharks that I am working on,- a rebuild and a re-decking, so I needed the room.

Shark mould ready for shaping

• rturbett
• Feb 1, 2006

Just started planing the mould to shape.