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The application of the resin
demands very careful attention. I was using fast hardener in the middle of
summer on days when the temperature was reaching 24°C (very unusual for the
UK). This meant mixing no more than 30ml at a time and working quickly
because there was a maximum time of 10 to 15 minutes for application before
the resin started setting.
The first stage was to mix thick filler and apply small fillets to serve as
"tacks" inside and out
to secure the plywood edges of the bottom and side sections. This allowed most of the tacking wires in the less
stressed areas to be removed before taping.
After removing as many tacking wires as possible, I scored and roughened the
interior areas where tape would be applied, and then applied a first resin
coat to seal the plywood.
I made sure to wear disposable gloves AT ALL TIMES when handling resin and
hardener. I also ensured my glasses were secured around my head with a cord so
they couldn't slip off, resin cannot be removed from plastic lenses!
Tape was cut to the approximate length for each joint, resin applied to the
wood and the tape laid on a section at a time. A flat brush was used to
stipple the resin through the tape. An excess of resin will allow the tape
to float about on the surface and my first couple of attempts ended in a
slithery mess that dried with lots of bumps. After more practice, I applied
less resin and things were easier. The tape should be clear once stippled
and dried although the weave will still show, apply another coat of resin as
soon as the first coat has set to fill the weave.

This picture
shows simple filler/resin tacks designed to hold the panels I put these
inside and out so that I could remove the stitching wires before Taping.

Here is the bow after taping,
the excess tape needs to be trimmed away before the deck is fitted. I used
some resin/filler mix to fair in the gap before taping to give a smoother
surface.

View looking forwards with the inside complete
and the cockpit frame in place. Note the use of the wooden bar to hold the
correct hull width whilst taping.

Rear bulkhead showing the taping to the side
panel. This was very carefully sealed so that it would become a waterproof
bulkhead when complete. The buoyancy system relies on waterproof
compartments at the bow and stern to support the hull if it fills with
water.

All internal taping finished and the hull ready
to turn for external tapes to be applied over the joints. Also to be fitted
were the deck support beams around the cockpit area.

After all was dry, the hull was turned over and
the areas around the seams roughened to provide a good "key" for the tape
and resin. Taping was the same process as internally and on completion the
hull was fitted with a wooden keel and rubbing strips to protect the bottom
ply panels.
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