Sailing Umavideo
3D Printing our Boat Parts | Step 444
June 13, 2025 · 21 min · 114K views
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 mold.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 mold in four sections using gray 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 fiberglass and biaxial cloth to ensure structural rigidity.2:17 The team notches the dodger’s structural ribs to accommodate the pod, then glassing 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 molds can effectively produce custom, load-bearing fiberglass components when high-gloss finishes are not required.10:41
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