Sabalo build finally underway!

[goanywhere]

I don't know how but I managed to get the transom all off square. I only noticed it when I was sanding the hull down in preparation for glassing.



I could hav just left it, but I couldn't get the thought out of my head that every time I look at it for the next ten years it will bug me. So....







And now it's all straight!

Took me about 20min. Just as well I cut it off straight!

[Bemm 52]

Where did you place your tranny?

I put it just ahead of the bulkhead infront of the footwell........cable then comes thru bulkhead to console. I cut a hole in the hull filled it with thickened epoxy then glassed both sides........ transducer is glued to hull above hole.......nothing outside to get bumped around.

Cheers Paul

[goanywhere]

Where did you place your tranny?

I put it just ahead of the bulkhead infront of the footwell........cable then comes thru bulkhead to console. I cut a hole in the hull filled it with thickened epoxy then glassed both sides........ transducer is glued to hull above hole.......nothing outside to get bumped around.

Cheers Paul

Why did you cut the hole? Was that so you didn't have to shoot through the ply? I have read that others have just siliconed theirs inside the hull and not cut a hole, seems to work ok from what I've read.

[goanywhere]

After sealing the inside areas of the cockpit and tankwell I was so impressed with the look of the grain I decided to absolutely leave the decks, CP and TW natural and to go the timber finish. Even the 'poor' side looks fantastic with just 2 coats of epoxy.



But because I have made a bit of a mess of the hull, having sanded through the outer layer in a couple of spots, I will be definitely painting that, with epoxy/graphite below the waterline and a deep yellow marine polyester paint above the water line.

What do people think, should I paint right up to the 'gunwale' or leave the tumblehome panel natural even if it has a few blemishes? It is hard to visualise how it will look either way.

[goanywhere]

Another question. Has anyone had problems with water collecting in the seat end of the cockpit on the Sabalo? I was wondering about installing a couple of small scuppers in that end. I was thinking of trying to make some fibreglass tubes about 1" in diameter and installing them in the corners if it might be an issue.

[Earvin]

What do people think, should I paint right up to the 'gunwale' or leave the tumblehome panel natural even if it has a few blemishes? It is hard to visualise how it will look either way.

Leave it natural mate. I am in the same boat, pardon the pun, I have bought paint for the inside which looks the worst, but will leave the gunwales and outside natural apart from the graphite bottom. Funnily enough I have yellow/gold as well - 'Gilded Lilly'.

[goanywhere]

Thanks Earvin. No I will definitely be painting the hull, partly because I like the idea of some colour on the boat and for safety. Yellow is more visible to stinkboats than timber, and easier to spot in a rescue situation (which I hope never eventuates). Also, if I scratch the hull it is easier to touch up and the scratch won't leave a permanent mark.

But I will wait until I have glassed the hull and see how the tumblehomes come up and decide then. I will get a chance to see how it looks when I start painting, I can leave the top panel till last and see how it looks before painting it if I decide to.

[Earvin]

Yeah paint the hull but leave something natural. It just looks so good.

[rodot]

What do people think, should I paint right up to the 'gunwale' or leave the tumblehome panel natural even if it has a few blemishes? It is hard to visualise how it will look either way.

Leave as much natural as possible mate. The admiration your boat will receive from others is well worth it. As far as safety goes, wear a bright coloured shirt or bouyancy vest, but I'm sure some of those morons in stink boats wouldnt see you if your boat was ten foot tall and purple with yellow polka dots. I am not against stink boats, they have their place, I own three power boats myself, but crikey there are some idiots out there,

Roger

[goanywhere]

I'm sure some of those morons in stink boats wouldnt see you if your boat was ten foot tall and purple with yellow polka dots.

Hahaha, I think you're right Rodot! I will get a chance to see how the hull comes up when I glass it (probably tomorrow), so I can wait until then to decide.