Sloppy butterfly joints

[Guest Sailorjake]

The pictured CS20 was donated to the Maritime museum of Stuart, Florida (of which I am a member). I'm planning to enlist the aid a few high school students to help me finish it.

The butterfly joints in the picture seem a bit sloppy to me. The gap is about 1/8" to 1/4". The glass looks like a very loose weave (more like a net than a piece of fabric). The epoxy is very thick (much sanding ahead).

Do these joints need to be re-done or are they ok as is?

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[mustangermatt]

It is hard to tell in a photo but it looks like the joint was done with glass cloth instead of tape. I was just reading a post from someone who did that to keep the joint from failing while unfolding the boat. My guess is if it made it through unfolding, and then manhandling and a trailer ride without being properly stiched, don't touch a thing! It's a good joint :-)

Is there anymore history on the boat? It seems like a really curious point for somebody to quit.

[Brent]

The picture suggests to me a close fitting joint at the stem with an increasing gap as the joint moves aft. IF this is true, and not a mis perception, I would redo the joint. A small gap here in the bow taped section is not a major crisis, as long as the rest of the side/bottom joint can be made tight. If the gap is filled with epxoy this is much better than filled with air.

From the state of construction this boat is at in the picture, it would not be a big deal to get it back to the basic butterfly and do the job to your full satisfaction. A few hours work at the most. While this may be a discouraging way to start, you would then have full confidence in the total structural integrity.

BTW going with a heavy cloth or tape at this joint is not a bad idea at all. I would expect such to leave a rough surface, but that can be easily faired in later construction stages.

[Steve Day]

I would agree with Brent. At this point in the game, if the joint isn't right, there would be very little additional effort expended to make it right. It would help the process later in the game and ensure that the shape is fair on the hull.

Stuart, Florida. How about that. I used to live there in a "previous life." I have been going to Stuart from where we lived in Boynton Beach since the early 50's, when my grandfather lived there. We used to go fishing out on the St. Lucie from Frasier Creek, where he kept his boat. Later, my wife and I moved there in 1974. we lived in the area for 20 years before we moved out here. I've spent a lot of time in that area flying and boating.

Where is the Maritime Museum? Is that the one at the House of Refuge?

Looks like you have a good project and will have a wonderful boat to sail the flats out there north of the inlet.

Steve

[Barry Pyeatt]

One thing to consider if you have to remove a lot of epoxy is to scrape it off with a good paint scraper and then finer flex cabinet scrapers. It is quicker and a lot easier than sanding and leaves a better surface when you are finished. It will also teach a valuable skil to the students.

I too would seriously consider redoing the joints so that they are the way you would like before going onto other things. That process will instill a strong sense of "doing it right" in the students as well as show them that there is little that cannot be made "right" during construction.

Most often it is the lessons learned from correcting mistakes that help prevent future mistakes from happening. It will also instill a strong sense of pride in the attitude that "We fixed that!"

A wonderful project for a group such as you are working with. Best wishes for success and post often with progress.

[Charlie Jones]

I'll add my 2 cents to this and agree with the others. Things are way too close to the beginning to let that stand. Too easy to take it back apart and do it right now.

Besides- if you leave it, then for the rest of your life you'll wonder if it is REALLY strong enough, and every time you cast eyes on the boat, it'll BUG the CRAP outta you.

Fix it !