Well, here we go again with the final interior tasks on the port float this time. You can see the completed starboard float on the storage rack. Thanks to our neighbor Quinn for helping me lift it up there. We estimate it weighs about 150 lbs, so a little much for Dawna to lift. In any case, we started finishing up the inside tasks on the port float beginning with taping and sealing the keel seam.
We followed the same basic steps to tape the keel seam. First I mixed a thin epoxy putty with some cabosil for extra strength and low viscosity (150 mL epoxy + 1 cup microballoons + 1/4 cup cabosil). I poured this mixture along the seam to form a fillet. This went fairly smooth with less clean up than last time. However, the higher temperatures of summer make the putty kick that much sooner, so I came close to disaster trying to finish cleaning up stray and excess putty. After initial cure, Dawna and I laid in the glass tape (and boy are we itchy!). We forgot how much fun it is to work through 6 inch holes on a seam we can only reach with brushes on sticks! Then I went back and coated the tape with a second layer of epoxy to help ensure we have no leaks when the float goes in the water. This is a view looking in the hatch opening of the finished seam in the midsection of the float.
Here is a view looking into the open stern. If you look closely, you may notice the drain hole in the bottom of the aft bulkhead. This hole is a real hassle when trying to get the tape on either side to pass through and overlap without blocking the opening. With some patience, and trimming the ends of the tape to fit, I was able to fully glass the seam through the hole. With the seam complete, I will now work on trimming the stern and closing it up with a plate I made earlier. Feels like deja vu all over again!
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