Practical Sailor · video

What this video covers

3D printing offers boat owners a method to fabricate custom hardware, such as halyard saver balls, deck levelling blocks, and whisker pole storage brackets, that are unavailable in standard marine catalogues.0:19 Successful fabrication requires mastering basic parametric CAD software to design parts, which are then produced using FDM printers.2:04 Key design considerations include maintaining wall thickness at least twice the nozzle width, incorporating support material for overhangs, and avoiding sharp corners to prevent delamination.3:29 For marine environments, material selection is critical: ASA provides high UV resistance for deck hardware, while PETG-CF (carbon fibre reinforced) serves as a durable, high-strength option for structural components.7:35 ABS is suitable for below-deck applications, and TPU allows for flexible parts like seals.7:48 While entry-level printers like the Anycubic Cobra or Bambu Lab P1S have lowered the barrier to entry, users must balance infill percentages—up to 100% for structural strength—against print time and material usage.5:02

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