Estimating boat weight
When embarking on a major refit, it's essential to keep track of the boat's weight specifications, and ensure that the boat's displacement and center of gravity position evolve. While Matt has weighed the major equipment and composite parts removed from or added to Duracell, for the moment he relies mainly on estimates, a method which has its limits when it comes to defining the new ballast and its position. He therefore decides to prepare a weighing of the yacht now that the major modification work has been completed.
Making custom bers
At the moment, Duracell rests on a series of candles, making it impossible to place it on the ground. To this end, Matt is building 2 adapted bers on which Duracell will rest. They will be positioned under structural partitions.
To ensure a level surface, Matt starts by using OSB formwork to make 4 concrete blocks in holes dug under the boat, in line with the bulkheads.
Next, Matt tackles the contact surface with the hull, which has to match the shape. He uses two different methods, which don't give him complete satisfaction, but do the job. These conformers are laminated in a glass-polyester sandwich under vacuum directly onto the hull, taking care not to adhere to the living works.
A wooden structure is then built between the concrete blocks and the shaper to transmit the weight. With the help of beams and external OSB footings, the two bers take shape. Finally, the boat is ready for installation.
