Sail Life · video

What this video covers

Mads fabricates replacement hatches for a 44-foot catamaran using vacuum infusion, balsa core, and fiberglass.0:29 He creates a template for the core by modifying existing test hatches, then cuts the balsa core with a knife to avoid the tear-out caused by a router.1:51 After cleaning the molds and applying wax and PVA mold release, he performs the infusion process.3:59 He uses a DIY post-curing oven constructed from insulation sheets, a temperature controller, and a space heater to cure the parts at 60 degrees Celsius for six hours.8:19 The project serves as a practice run for building a large cockpit hardtop.4:06 During the process, he encounters issues with an unreliable scale and a power outage, but successfully produces two hatches.7:15 He notes that the new hatches weigh approximately the same as the originals.20:18 Additionally, he integrates a Bambu Lab X1 Carbon 3D printer into his workflow to create custom tools, including fillet-forming tools and sanding blocks, for use on the boat.9:25

Boats in this video

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