Quick Heating and Quick Cooling

Heating the Glass Close-Up
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

As mentioned in the last entry, we used a heat gun to heat up the stiff fiberglass, and soften the epoxy. Immediately upon softening, we laid a cool metal weight on top of the newly-softened fiberglass. This helped the fiberglass lay flat as it should.

As we went, we learned that we could run the heat gun in front of the weight, which would heat the fiberglass and epoxy, and we could immediately slide a weight behind the heated area. this would ensure the area would lay flat. Ive gotta say, it was a pretty clever trick.

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Take your time when you lay the tape

Reinforced Stringers 1
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

Its best to take your time when you set the fiberglass tape on the joints. If you fail to adequately saturate the tape with epoxy, or if you fail to adequately set the tape onto the wood, the tape wont bond well to the wood, as shown in this picture.

Its really not a big deal to correct this problem; all we had to do was cut away the tape that didnt bond to the wood, feather the edges and lay down another piece of saturated tape... but it would have been nice to have gotten it right the first time.

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An Answer to our Glassing Problem

Heating the Glass I
Originally uploaded by OzzyC.

We ("we" being Greg for the most part) thought about possible solutions for our problem on how to get the partially-wetted fiberglass to properly adhere to the hull. After a week or so, Greg found the answer. We used a heat gun and softened the epoxy in the areas where the fiberglass was bubbled up from the hull.

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An Afternoon at Sarles Marina and Annapolis Classic Watercraft

Inside the wooden boat shop at Annapolis Classic Watercraft the participants view the latest restoration project

Mr. George instr1ucts Jaquan on the proper use of a Japanese saw. A tool that will be used often in the construction of the Peace Canoe.
Viewing for the first time, a Peace Canoe from Chesapeake Lightcraft

A cool afternoon was spent at Sarles Marina where Mr. George introduce 5 of the participants in the boat building project to the Peace Canoe and many tools they will use through construction.
He specified the need for safety and then let all interested try out the Japanese saw. Finally, it was time to go into the wooden boat shop and warm up. While inside, owner Bill Donahue, showed the kids around and talked greatly about the restoration process from beginning to end.

This is what Jaquan thought about the afternoon, " I think it was very educational, because we learned about the tools well be using to build our Peace Canoe. I got to use the Japanese saw and I found it easy."

"We had so much fun as we were part of a demonstration that showed us how to use a Japanese saw," stated Maurice.

The Annapolis Maritime Museum and Box of Rain Foundation are thrilled to have George Smith leading this initiative. George shares a couple of his thoughts on the program. "Youth boat-building programs are about taking it to a new level. We want to see tools in our hands as we learn, build, and have fun, leading to life-tools of ingenuity and team work." George has enjoyed meeting participants of the program at both the SERC and Sarles afternoons, he believes there is a lot of potential in the group.

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An Invitation to look at my Other Blog

This blog about the houseboat isnt my only blog. If youre interested in seeing my other blog, which discusses about everything except this project, go to my other blog.

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