11.24.2011

Forward port side cabin



Here's the view as you walk into the forward, port side cabin.  Rather than go with the traditional stark white interior, I chose a neutral sand color that will be a little easier on the eyes. In this photo, the light is coming from the kids room which is accessible by a ladder stairway.     


The entrance way to the kids room is up three carbon fiber ladder rungs, onto a small landing and then a step up into the cabin. This forward cabin will have two "pipe berths" that can be rolled up and snapped to the walls; converting the space into an open area. This cabin has it's own hatch so it will have good natural light and plenty of cross ventilation.


11.22.2011

An innovative interior finishing system

 With the cold air starting to flow south over the north Pacific Ocean. the  Oregon weather is beginning to feel real.  However, since the boat is composite foam core construction,  closing the door to the forward port side kids cabin and placing a small heater inside, kept the cabin space a nice 77 deg while the exterior shop temp is around 30.

Since I wanted to focus my efforts towards projects that can be accomplished in the interior of the boat during the winter, I took the opportunity to experiment with a coating system that I could use for all interior surfaces.

Rather than spending another two years trying to sand all the interior panels slick as glass, I wanted to create a coating that would provide a slightly modeled, but smooth textured surface that would help blend slight variances due to specific glass reinforcements.  In other words, I want this boat to be a sail boat, not a New York townhouse or a condominium tied to a mooring ball.

Success:   For interior surfaces, I chose a two part high solids, chemical resistant, industrial epoxy floor coating intended for aircraft hangars.  It's tenacious and tough as nails. I experimented with the addition of glass micro balloons as a thickener and I found that  mixing one part high solids resin with one part converter and 2 parts micro balloons resulted in a nice, thick, lightweight epoxy paint.   I then used a 3 inch;  3/8 nap roller for application and  it produced the effect that I wanted.  My goal is to maintain an ability to take a pressure washer after just about every portion of this boat.


 Here is an example of a super lightweight foam core epoxy/composite interior bulkhead panel with the finished coating.