#25: Chamfer Panels, with a Twist
Next order of business: we got out the flat chamfer panel parts and epoxied them together to form a single piece that spanned the entire length of the boat. We then had to lift the panel and hold in place while we began to adhere it to the boat, starting at the stern and working forward towards the bow.
With the help of a lot of clamps, screws, and brute force, we were able to pull the panel into shape. Notice how the wave-piercing bow is taking shape after having tortured the chamfer panel? It started at a 45 degree angle at the stern, bending into a near vertical plane at the bow.
Did I mention we used a LOT of clamps and wooden reinforcement to contort the chamfer panel into place? That bad boy did not want to twist!
After we successfully bonded the chamfer panels on the port side, we just had to do it all over again on the starboard side!
Nick built some stairs at the stern of the boat so we can get aboard more easily.
He also built two sets of construction stairs, one for port side and the other for starboard.
Once the epoxy was cured and the panels were bonded in place, we then started the many-weeks’-long process of tabbing over all the joints. Tabbing is the process of building epoxy coves and adding two layers of fiberglass cloth (tapes) to every glued panel connection made so far, including in the tight spaces between bulkheads.
To catch you up with the kids, Calvin started playing in chess tournaments with his friends, and he would love to play you if you’re ever game for it.
Tristan competed in running a 5K that benefited our volunteer fire department, finishing in 20:25. He placed 2nd overall out of 75 participants. The guy who got 1st was a professional athlete from England who used to play rugby and is now touring the world with his family (with nothing but backpacks, the wife said!), but a guy who finished after Tristan has already warned him to watch his back for the next race. Life remains interesting. . . .
Nick found a few days’ time to break away from boat building to accompany his brother for a business trip to Chicago, which he really enjoyed. Meanwhile, the kids and I visited my parents. My dad loaned his 1990s clothes and childhood whip to Tristan so he could be Indiana Jones for Halloween. Dad gave us a crash course in how to crack a whip, and Tristan practiced for days so he wasn’t just a “poser” at the upcoming Halloween party. (Dad grew up working on his parents’ rice farm and cattle ranch. He’d ride his horse, Bob, cracking the whip to keep the cows in line.)
Calvin made a lot of his steampunk-era costume, including the hat and goggles, and he used the liner from Tristan’s Indy coat as his vest. Nothing goes to waste around here.
We purchased a remote control motorized dolly for our fifth wheel trailer to get us more easily in and out of a tight spot. Tristan was a natural at the remote control, as he’s been practicing his whole life with RC cars, and more recently, drones, helicopters, and planes.
Speaking of, Tristan 3D-printed and painted a P-51 Mustang, outfitting it to fly with a remote control. He brought it to our gathering at Thanksgiving for its spectacular maiden flight. The outcome: Tristan felt it was too tail-heavy, but he was able to land without obliterating it. It just had broken wings and a slightly smashed nose. But not bad damage at all, and he had a lot of fun flying it and couldn’t wait to fix the issues and fly it again!
If you want to watch the video on Felicity’s chamfer panels and Tristan’s P-51 Mustang, here it is:
The second flight when we got back home, however, was much more catastrophic as it took a nosedive during a stall and smashed to smithereens. At least the 3D-printed mustached pilot and all the electronics were recoverable. The original plane was beautifully and meticulously painted, but it shall only survive in photos and videos now. Tristan’s been printing a new Mustang for days on end now, and it will likely remain unpainted for its first flight.
Until next time!