Companion Way Flange and Rudder Work

Companion Way Flange and New Epoxy

This past week or so, I have been working on some little tasks, but I guess that's what the whole build is about. A bunch of little tasks.  I had already glued up the companion-way flange a while back and coated it with a few coats of epoxy. I finally decided to glue it to the companion way opening. For the epoxy part of the job, I decided to try out some new epoxy in a tube that I purchased from Jamestown Distributors.  What I purchased was the TotalBoat Thixo Wood 2:1 Expoxy System.  I found it difficult at first since the caulking gun I had was not strong enough. I ordered a heavy duty one from them as well and it work like a charm.  Below is a picture of the gun and epoxy. You purchase the tips and depose of them after each use.  Only one application per tip. There is a top that screws back on, so you can reuse, which I did.  I have used it a few times and are very satisfied. The only issue I would have is the cost. 

Below is the flange epoxied on. 

This is after the initial glue up and an extra coat of epoxy. 

For the companion way hood, there is a portion that I didn't fiberglass. The manual really doesn't show it or talk about it, but I decided it was easy to do.  You can see the portion in the picture below. I will do the other side as well. 

Rudder

I used the caulking gun with epoxy to do the fillets on the rudder.  I was impressed on the mix consistency of epoxy. It made very smooth fillets. I wish I would have done this on the epoxy fillets for the bulkheads, but it wouldn't have been cost effective. 

Fillets on Rudder

After I did the fillets, I applied fiberglass to both sides of the rudder and down onto the bottom portion across the fillet. This should make that joint very strong. 

Epoxy applied with 1 coat. 

When I was installing the blocking on the seat backs, I went ahead and drilled the holes for the boom gallows. I then covered them up with the seat back top.  To get the hole cut, I drilled up from the inside and created a hole. I then used my router with a cut-off bit and just went around the hole. 

I have also been coating it with additional epoxy as well as the other holes for the hatches and dorade vents that I recently cut. 

Both starboard and port holes ready for the boom gallow poles. 

Still planning on the flip. I purchased some moving blankets and need to get some old tires from some place. Will try to get this done in a couple weeks. I have plenty of tasks to keep me busy.