Sailing Uma · video

What this video covers

The crew of the sailboat Uma fabricates a custom throttle pod for their twin Oceanvolt electric motors by 3D printing a multi-piece mould.0:56 Because the boat lacks a traditional helm pedestal, the team designs the pod to mount directly beneath the dodger, allowing for throttle access from both sides.0:52 They print the mould in four sections using grey PLA filament, which provides better visibility for sanding and fairing than white plastic.3:22 After applying release wax and a layer of gel coat, they laminate the pod with fibreglass and biaxial cloth to ensure structural rigidity.2:17 The team notches the dodger’s structural ribs to accommodate the pod, then glasses the assembly into the frame to maintain integrity.12:13 A final test fit confirms the throttle clearance and ergonomics, with the pod providing space for additional controls like windlass and autopilot switches.20:06 The project demonstrates that 3D-printed moulds can effectively produce custom, load-bearing fibreglass components when high-gloss finishes are not required.10:41

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