Templates, always templates...
In the autumn, Matt spent many hours imagining Duracell's future cockpit, following the construction of the new roof to turn the racing yacht into a pleasant cruising boat. After several iterations, a 1:1 scale model was validated and has already been used to build the cockpit benches. Before tackling the coamings that will house the winches, Matt had to make the link between the existing deck shapes, left over from cutting away the old roof, and these famous coamings. It takes a few more hours to check that the lines of the connecting piece run smoothly, using tensioned ropes, before the final templates are ready.
A useful step for the boat
This junction piece will not accommodate any fittings, and therefore won't be subject to heavy loads. However, it will act as a step for climbing to the top of the roof. Matt adds sufficient bulkheads to ensure rigidity.
Adapting to temperatures
The elements are glued together. To fill the voids and ensure optimum bonding, Matt uses thickened epoxy. Given the quantity and temperatures involved, the young man adds a charge of microbeads, which will limit resin heating and sanding time, by preventing the resin from spilling out of the holes. Colloidal silica also reinforces the resin.
After vacuum stratification, Matt is satisfied with the part, and is now ready to tackle the cockpit coamings.
