BoatworksToday · video

What this video covers

Andy fits and shapes three fiberglass knees to the V-shaped hull of a Bertram transom, using a tapered KUSA jig to mark and shave the base of each knee for a tight fit.1:10 He plans to tab these knees into the hull to support an Armstrong bracket. During the prep work, he attempts to sand the transom but discovers the existing fiberglass surface is coated in uncured or improperly sanded laminating polyester resin, which clogs his sanding discs.7:46 To seal the texture and prepare for further work, he applies a sacrificial layer of gel coat containing wax, opting against polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) because it is difficult to remove from the textured 1708 fiberglass.10:30 The gel coat fails to cure properly, leading him to conduct diagnostic tests on his catalyst (MEK) and resin shelf life, while also considering ambient shop temperature as a potential cause.18:40 He seeks feedback on adding vertical reinforcements to the transom to better distribute torque from the bracket.22:34

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