Kit E45: The Hardest Part of the Build

[@DaveHines1]

That forebeam is an absolute work of art, it’s almost a pity that all the internal detail is going to be hidden from view once finished . Nice underwater footage , I can sit and watch that for hours 😉 Thanks for sharing 😃🍻🥂

[@SailingSVLynx]

Yeah, we agree it was a shame to hide the pretty wood in the forebeam. However, we decided to make the three tables in the boat out of the unused Inland Red Cedar, so those will be seen as we will only apply clear epoxy to the top. Of course, we are engraving the names into the top of those tables of everyone who helped get the boat constructed, including our Patrons. As for the underwater portion of this video, thanks. There will be plenty of that as we travel around the world. I am a Master Scuba Diver Trainer, and I literally wrote the course I taught for PADI for the underwater videography certification. Diving adventures will be a big part of our voyage.

[@davidnichols147]

Great job with the forebeam, certainly one of the taxing in this massive build. Amazing underwater cinematography, certainly a nice break from building.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thanks a lot!

[@JohnLee-im7iu]

You guys are very addictive. Love watching this build and the work. Watching from Orlando, Fl.

[@SailingSVLynx]

We're glad you enjoy our episodes! We'll visit Florida one of these days on S/V Lynx, maybe you can stop by for a chat!

[@flutetubamorg]

It's kind of nice that the build plan has the biggest PITA parts to build at the beginning.

[@SailingSVLynx]

It sucks when you start, especially when you are new to this kind of boat building, but it's nice once it is out of the way.

[@smc419]

Shayne of the Young Barnacles, who ran a composite R&D lab, talks about how one should always sand after pulling off the peel ply. He says that peel ply provides a resin rich layer that allows for sanding without damaging the fibers.

[@SailingSVLynx]

We just follow the kit designers instructions, and they said to bond straight to the peel ply surface as long as it is lean and freshly exposed. If not, then sand.

[@robinengland5799]

What a great video today!! Great boat progress, and I really enjoyed the diving! Y'all have a super interesting life! Thanks for sharing.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thanks, we appreciate the kind words.

[@russellesimonetta9071]

That fire beam was a huge challenge! You got it!! Pretty soon the other canoe and then the boat will flesh out! Big motivational boost! 20 percent done! only 120 percent to go!

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thanks, though your math seems suspect ;)

[@DVolvoguy777-x7o]

Dove crescent quite a few times back in he early 90’s. Good times. Great progress! Kinda a bummer about the high temps. Makes for a damper on forward progress Stay cool. Stay safe. Fair winds!

[@SailingSVLynx]

We expected the heat in July - September, so no surprise there. I'm happy that we are making progress at all during heat waves, but we are still getting stuff done even on the 100+ F (38+ C) days.

[@DVolvoguy777-x7o]

@@SailingSVLynx thanks for the Laguna memories. Good times at a familiar place I haven’t been to in years.

[@_mysilentblue2227]

Well there you go, the 2 hardest parts experienced (not complete) but definitely over the hump.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Very true.

[@billsrq1788]

Hello from Siesta Key Florida

[@SailingSVLynx]

Hello there!

[@ridetheliger4176]

Thank you for the update and the dive video! Good to see your progress!

[@SailingSVLynx]

You are most welcome!

[@DanielMashonkin]

Someone might tell that "peel ply" is too expensive but others experienced will say "it worth every dollar you spent" There is nothing to replace this great material cloth. For hot weather conditions I would recommend to use cold packs. Store in a fridge and it will extend pot life by 10-15 min. eg. wine cooler pockets or just tape flexible cold pack around epoxy pot.

[@SailingSVLynx]

It is expensive! And, it did not come in the kit, so we had to cough up another $1,500 for just peel ply. However, as you said, "it is worth every dollar". I can't imagine building this boat without it.

[@denisemckinlay4783]

Looking good. Having watched MJ sailing sanding upside down, sanding leaning over, sanding on one foot, sanding on one elbow, me was thinking what if you sanded and filled to perfection every panel before you fitted them. Just saying slow and steady wins the race so they say.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Unfortunately, that isn't possible. Each panel must be tabbed into the boat with fiberglass and epoxy. It is only after they are tabbed that you can apply fairing compound and must sand. If there wasn't any tabbing, then you wouldn't even need fairing compound in many cases as what you are primarily doing with fairing compound is hiding the transitions between the tabbing and the panels.

[@The_R_Vid]

38:18 ... me wondering how heavy a panel that size would be. 38:21 apparently very heavy! Great work!!!

[@SailingSVLynx]

Yeah, you would think foam is light, but it has laminated layers of fiberglass and epoxy on both sides, and that makes them heavy!

[@berndog3]

Just to expand on the peel ply question/answer. The reason for using peel ply according to AI: Peel ply is a nylon cloth that has been treated with a release agent so that epoxy will not bond to it. It is typically applied over a wet laminated surface and then peeled off when everything is cured, revealing a beautifully even surface underneath that’s ready for your next layer of epoxy. No cleaning or hours of sanding is needed! In actual fact, while the finish looks even, it’s actually textured. The fine weave of the fabric leaves behind tiny bumps and valleys in the cured epoxy and it’s these that your next layer of epoxy will adhere to. Peel ply eliminates the need for sanding fibreglassed surfaces which can be very challenging, primarily because you need to be careful not to damage the weave of the fabric and weaken your whole structure. In fact, it’s arguably not possible to sand or clean a surface that’s been fibreglassed without peel ply because of the risk of amine blush being trapped in the weave of the cloth. However, peel ply eliminates this problem too by removing any amine blush that forms on the outside of the peel ply when the epoxy has cured

[@SailingSVLynx]

All true, we love peel ply.

[@glennimmortal]

I don't want to rain on your parade but although peel leaves a reasonable surface for secondary bonding it was the failure point in testing chain plate layups. If it's a part that experiences flexing oil canning loads it's best to give it a quick sand. I'm Not saying you're going to have a failure but it's not best practice. Looking good apart from that, really enjoying your channel

[@SailingSVLynx]

@@glennimmortal Easy enough, we can sand critical surfaces, like when we build the chain plates, just to be safe.

[@rickdaniel8478]

Good video ! Cheers 😊

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thanks, we appreciate you watching!

[@christinemillard6889]

Saw something might help .measure your epoxy and hardener by weight inside the plastic bag sip it up squish it around than add the filler to desired viscosity, no waste and save the cup .saw it on another boat building channel seems to work just fine

[@SailingSVLynx]

It's an interesting idea. I worry about the mixing though. We are told to stir for two minutes to get the epoxy and hardener well mixed.

[@christopherledesma8435]

Great video; thanks for sharing the scuba trip, love it! In a different note, don’t know much about joins; but, when joining two panels why not making one side male and the other female?

[@SailingSVLynx]

That would require us to remove the laminate layers bonded to the foam leaving only foam on the Male side. By leaving it on the join has a double layers of laminates, top and bottom.

[@Cheers_Warren]

Hi , fyi the other very important reason you use the peel ply is with west epoxy and other older epoxy formulations is the 'Amine' blush that comes to the surface that would have to be removed before and more lamination. If you use their UV stable hardened it does not have this issue. Its a shame the west epoxy six-10 caulk tubes with mixers are so expensive or they would make life,easier ! Cheers warren

[@SailingSVLynx]

Yes, we're familiar with Amine blush. True about the six-10 caulk tubes, but we're on a budget :)

[@Cheers_Warren]

@@SailingSVLynx I’m sure you knew about the amine blush , comment was really partly for other readers 😀

[@SailingSVLynx]

@@Cheers_Warren That's cool, good to know! And thanks for posting to help others. Also, we don't know everything (far from it) so keep posting suggestions, they might help us in the future!

[@edwardlefkow3442]

Thanks...looking forward to next week

[@SailingSVLynx]

You are most welcome! I'm just about ready to head to the lot to put the basalt on the hull and video the whole thing. Wish us luck!

[@morgananderson9647]

@@SailingSVLynx I'm sure you'll do great and learn a lot!!! All the best!!!

[@jamespowell2924]

Excellent video! I always wonder how curved composite forebeams were constructed and this explained it well. All four of my big cats used aluminum tube for cost consideration but the curved forebeams not only look better but are better all around for their suited purpose.

[@SailingSVLynx]

We hope so! In our case, we are just following the build plans and Schionning has had a lot of their boats built, so we are confidant in their forebeam.

[@markcandle537]

Use a slow or ultra slow hardener mixed with the fast hardener to make up your own curing times on the epoxy. As long as you use the overall amount as usual all will be well and you can cope with the changing temperatures.😊

[@SailingSVLynx]

Currently, we are just using slow as even that is 'quick'.

[@glennedwards1449]

I suppose you have to have a certain mindset but it is amazing the amount of engineering that goes into such projects the loads on some parts are tonnes and can double in a second. What is more is that Catamarans have to be built stronger than monohulls even down to the sails as monohulls heel and shed part of the loads. Yet materials such as fiberglass and epoxy can handle such loads with no problem. The technology is amazing. There is another YT channel whom I will not name as it is unfair to advertise but they are converting a 60 foot ex racing monohull to a cruiser I mention this as they have removed the chainplates which were used when it was a racing boat they were massive and made normal chainplates look like toys indeed you could pick one up one handed but not two. The loads they were built to handle as a racer were enormous.

[@SailingSVLynx]

That's all very true, which is why we stick to the plans when building the boat as the engineering has all been done by a company that has had over 400 boats made from their plans.

[@Mrcaffinebean]

Cool scuba diving, that’s a hobby I’d like to get into more. I’ve done it but have yet to get certified or buy any gear.

[@SailingSVLynx]

It's my favorite sport, which is why I became a Master Scuba Diver Trainer and ran two dive facilities in the past :)

[@theazulverdeproject]

Another Excellent video! And you are picking up some more views each week, your popularity is growing quick and that is great! I had a question, what is the deciding factor when it came to choosing that beam, the upward curve? Plus I have seen some Cat designs without beams recently, any thoughts on that? Thanks for the great content, we are looking forward to seeing it finished.

[@SailingSVLynx]

I'm not sure how they could do away with the forebeam as it supports the forestay to hold up the mast and is the anchor for your headsails. As for the curve, that is all part of the design so we just built what Schionning sent. The main downward curved sections are inside the hulls, stradling a bulkhead on either side.

[@theazulverdeproject]

@@SailingSVLynx I guess what we were seeing regarding no forebeam was on a McConaghy MC60. There is a cable strung across, and maybe since the trampoline area is shorter they have the front bulkhead as support. This is the video - McConaghy Mc60 catamaran 2018 - World Premiere At The Cannes Boatshow 2018

[@SailingSVLynx]

mcconaghyboats.com/yachts/mc-multihulls/mc60/

[@BG65]

Very interesting work and project. I'm following you since the beginning and with great interest. I like the style of yours videos. Bonjour from the south of FRANCE, Perpignan...Have a drink from me at " the Baja Cantina" Whashington Bd, close to the beach. Thanks a lot for sharing your project, and your incredible work. Bruno😉🏝⛵

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thanks, will do!

[@williammcrae3177]

Is there an opportunity to run some conduit inside the four beam before you seal it up for some future unknown uses?

[@SailingSVLynx]

We don't want any breaks in the forebeam (holes), it needs to be very strong.

[@goofnoff2672]

Does the Commodore get involved with all your other activities like diving and mountain bike riding?

[@SailingSVLynx]

Thd Admiral is a certified scuba diver and does have a mountain bike but she doesn't ride that often and prefers warm water diving.

[@StanleyFranklin-fw5wb]

When mounting try turning the battery off ?

[@SailingSVLynx]

Sorry, not sure what you are referring to.

[@DanielMashonkin]

Can I ask on your thoughts about that biscuit joints and how they stiff and overall strength they are? I see you are using a piece of foam or I've missed something and it was wet epoxy fibreglass roll? Will that joint stay against the future bulkhead to take all the pressure spreaded? Thank you.

[@SailingSVLynx]

We can't really say how strong they are. However, most builds have shorter panels and far more biscuit joins, and they have performed fine on those boats. We have far less since our panels are so long to start with. We do use foam for the biscuit, but that foam is encased in several layers of fiberglass on two sides, it isn't just foam. As for where they join bulkheads, there are also epoxy rope along the edges, further seaming them together, plus additional lamination added (you will see some of that in a coming video).

[@southernfriedkiwi7726]

You were probably just over filling the piping bag.

[@SailingSVLynx]

Oh, I'm sure we were, but the we have to apply a large quantity of epoxy quite often, so the zip locks just work out better for those jobs.

[@southernfriedkiwi7726]

@@SailingSVLynx Mate, when are you getting more help? Two years(ish) sounds a lot better than four +.

[@SailingSVLynx]

​@@southernfriedkiwi7726We get help nearly every week and believe we are still on track for our two year goal.

[@gonesilent]

I was thinking the hardest part is gonna be two hull bow's to match....

[@SailingSVLynx]

Naw, we matched the printout of the bow to the plans exactly, we'll just do it again on the other side. Sure, it will be a bit of work, but nothing like that damn forebeam!

[@sailinghalcyondaze6848]

Please talk to the manufacturers of your resin, about not sanding after removing peel ply, for piece of mind. This is a very structural part of your build.!! I love peel ply but always sand the surface with 80grit after its removed. Good back up practice as peell ply doesnt conform to curved surfaces easily, unless the lay up is risen rich. Please please!! I do injoy your vids and wish you well.

[@SailingSVLynx]

We have spoken to them and they have assured us that we do not need to sand the surface after pulling the peel ply unless time has elapsed and the surface is no longer clean. We asked specifically about this, more than once to be sure.

[@pawelkulesza2672]

Hi Guys I am sure someone has already asked this question but let me ask again: why don't you decide to work with vacuum? All the best to you all!

[@SailingSVLynx]

We are just following the build instructions from the kit designers. The laminates for all the panels were vacuum bagged during construction. The other parts we are doing do not require us to vacuum bag.

[@sergueiothonucci1638]

😃

[@SailingSVLynx]

:)

[@jimlofts5433]

for DIY yacht build surely it would be better to just have a straight beam designed for the yacht

[@SailingSVLynx]

Maybe so, but this is what came with the kit, so we built it. If we had to do it over again, maybe not. ;)

[@jimlofts5433]

@@SailingSVLynx yeh looks cool BUT schonning could have designed it to be be build friendly - but you got what you got and all done so well done and yeh it will look cool and fast

[@russellbrander7588]

About now one starts thinking, "Why did I ever start this project?" You are wasting the few good years you have left sailing, attempting to build a difficult cat, under conditions that are far less than perfect. Father time pauses for no man.

[@SailingSVLynx]

And yet, it is the only route to our dream of sailing around the world in a large modern catamaran. Just sailing any boat is not our dream. So, we either do it this way, or not at all. So, in our opinion, we are not wasting time, we are achieving our dream the only way possible.

[@nickcooper14]

It was all going great until you ran that old porno music at the end🤣🤣🤣🇦🇺. Great effort guys🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@SailingSVLynx]

We like that music, so you'l have to live with it ;)

[@alqubes]

this beams are too work intesive, there must be a better way

[@SailingSVLynx]

There is a better way, buy an aluminum one. After discovering just how much work this beast took, I might have had Schionning redesign the bows to accept an aluminum forebeam if I had it to do over again. However, we did save about $10,000 and it's done now (you will see it finished in the next video).

[@morgananderson9647]

@@SailingSVLynx ??? Would Aluminum be as strong & lightweight as the one your constructing?

[@SailingSVLynx]

​@@morgananderson9647I don't really know. I'm just following the plans, so I didn't research the comparison of aluminum vs cedar/carbon fiber.