See me at sea · video

What this video covers

Nova Loman constructs a custom fiberglass hardtop for her sailboat to replace a deteriorating soft dodger.0:01 She builds a temporary mold frame using thin boards and joists, working intermittently in a boatyard workshop while contending with rain and 30-knot winds.8:08 To ensure the fiberglass does not adhere to the wooden mold, she wraps the structure in thick plastic sheeting.13:13 She tests the release properties of this plastic by curing a small batch of polyester resin on a sample piece, confirming the material peels away cleanly.14:50 Loman plans to use a textile-based composite material for the hardtop, opting to glass the structure in two sections—the front window area and the arch—to achieve a smoother finish on the plastic-wrapped mold.19:17 She intends to join these sections after removing them from the frame.19:17 The project remains ongoing as she prepares to apply the fiberglass layer.

More from See me at sea

Solo sailing along the Danish coastAug 2026A summer of galesAug 2026Change of plans! I'm turning around.Aug 2026Sunsets and solo sailingAug 2026

From See me at sea — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.