Odd part to modify

I built these splashguards for my boat to keep breaking waves from entering the cockpit area. They never got painted because I stressed the fragile area and it delaminated like I figured.

It is 1/2" corelite board 24# core with a 1708 tape on each side, hand laid.

I made some glass ropes, pulled 8oz threads from some triax, was gonna run a router and hog out the core, but still nervous they will just break. Any other ideas? Odd shaped buggers.

I may have asked before, if so, apologies. The boat saw one breaking wave last year, so I never got them off the bench, but a VIP passenger got soaked when it happened. Embarassing..

Maybe a G10 or aluminum insert glued in the weak spot is needed?

 

Dimension at the weak spot is about an index finger is all...I could make it more laminate, but gonna get awful heavy for one weak spot.

The one inch core section gets bolted to a structural angle iron.

 

How about adding an arrow to indicate where the weak spot was?

 

The narrow neck down in the middle is 1/2" corelite about 7/8" wide.

Sorry, but I was worried about it when I cut it out. I put the tiniest bit of stress on it and it cracked the laminate.

 

Hi Fallguy, My quick fix suggestion is to hacksaw a blade width slot down the middle of the thin bit, careful not to snap the fat bit off. Then with the slot as long as you reckon is enough, maybe 8" or 10", maybe longer if it's flimsy, insert a strip of perforated stainless steel to give the thin section a backbone, clamp it, dam it with plastic adhesive tape, then flood epoxy in the slot, and it will be identical, not much heavier, but much stronger. SS strip 0.8mm thick or so, drill lots of small holes, leave rough, hammer it in gently, and epoxy. Do the same both sides.

 

I can lay it on the table saw and create the notch easily and somewhat safely if I raise the blade into a held part.

I might have some 1/8" 316 I can drill some holes thru. Thanks @seasquirt ! You as well @wet feet .