Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat MARGARET ROSE 12 Jul 20 Inner Stem

12 Jul 20:

To make the inner stem for our Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat MARGARET ROSE we cut 4 layers of 3/4 inch cypress. Each layer was made from 2 pieces cut from 12 inch wide stock, and we alternated seams each layer. Layers were glued together with TotalBoat THIXO Wood, a thickened epoxy dispensed with a Newborn 18:1 Hight Thrust caulk gun. We put in several temporary deck screws to keep the 8 bits from sliding around and clamped until we saw a small bead of epoxy squeezeout along the seams. Too much clamp pressure could squeeze out all of the adhesive.

To make the inner stem for our Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat MARGARET ROSE we cut 4 layers of 3/4 inch cypress. Each layer was made from 2 pieces cut from 12 inch wide stock, and we alternated seams each layer. Layers were glued together with TotalBoat THIXO Wood, a thickened epoxy dispensed with a Newborn 18:1 Hight Thrust caulk gun. We put in several temporary deck screws to keep the 8 bits from sliding around and clamped until we saw a small bead of epoxy squeezeout along the seams. Too much clamp pressure could squeeze out all of the adhesive.

Video: https://youtu.be/OUxxq8TAmAY



2 part thickened epoxy adhesive dispensed from an 18:1 High Thrust caulk gun, the resin and hardener mix in the mixing tube. That saves an enormous amount of time, we skip the measuring and mixing and filler dust. #totalboat

We aligned the 8 pieces and drove in a few temporary deck screws to keep the pieces form sliding around under clamp pressure. Then clamped with light pressure until we saw small beads of epoxy squeeze out of the seams. Next we smoothed the excess epoxy down to ensure full seam coverage and to reduce finish sanding later.

Jamestown Distributors donated the TotalBoat THIXO to MARGARET ROSE, we appreciate their support and love the simplicity and speed of THIXO from a tube. #totalboat

Care package for MARGARET ROSE! Jamestown Distributors donated 5:1 Epoxy resin with their Special Clear Hardener and silica filler, WetEdge colors Sea Green, Black and Bristol Beige, Gleam Satin varnish and a lot of THIXO Wood. We'll use the epoxy mix for larger batches, and the Special Clear Hardener will save time when we seal some pieces like the inside of the centerboard trunk. The Special Clear Hardener will not blush, so we don't have to rinse between coats.

TotalBoat ships free in CONUS. FMI: Jamestown Distributors Tech Team (800) 497-0010 Try our discount code LEWISBOATS if you have a JD account and check out online.

Log of MARGARET ROSE.

Pascagoula Diamond Bottom Catboat MARGARET ROSE 27 Jun 20 Transom and Skeg Laminations

27 Jun 20:

Made some parts for the Pascagoula Diamond Bottom catboat MARGARET ROSE, glued together 4 pieces to make the transom, stuck them together with TotalBoat THIXO Wood and sandwiched a strip of muslin in between the outer and inner layers of cypress. The muslin will help ensure a watertight membrane between the laminated layers. Light clamping while it dries. Also stacked, glued and screwed strips of cypress to make a skeg aka deadwood. Then we started considering the bow stem profile, the stem pattern from our Penobscot 14 is a good start.

The transom will be laminated up with 2 pieces of 3/4 inch thick cypress (top and bottom) per layer, and 2 layers. We offset the location of the horizontal seam on each layer. We will glue the pieces together with TotalBoat THIXO Wood from Jamestown Distributors, a wood colored thickened epoxy adhesive, dispensed from a Newborn 18:1 High Thrust Caulk gun.

Dispensed the THIXO and spread it out with a putty knife. Also put THXO in the seam. We placed a layer of muslin between the layers of the transom, to help make sure there was a good fill with the THIXO and to create a watertight membrane. The next transom layer is laying nearby, and the offset seam is visible.

We used the plastic putty knife the force the muslin down into the THIXO, then added a skim coat of THIXO on top of that. We also put a coat of THIXO on the inside face of the second layer of the transom.

Had some fun with the THIXO. We appreciate the support of the team at Jamestown Distributors, they are always handy for Tech Team help and send us complimentary goodies to try out on our restorations.

4 transom pieces laminated, ready for clamps.

Light clamping for thickened epoxy, just enough to see a tiny bead squeeze out of the seams. Too much pressure can force all of the adhesive out and there would be a glue starved joint.

Next we turned out attention to the skeg (deadwood). We put a bead of THIXO between each layer and then screwed the layers back together one at a time. The Frearson Head silicone bronze screws will hold the cypress strips together as the epoxy dries and they will be captured in place and act as small drift pins.

Before we took the dry skeg apart we numbered each layer and drew an alignment line, the line helps get the pice lined up so the screw can find its old screw hole.

Skeg video: https://youtu.be/stYM6UTkWKo



Tiny beads of epoxy squeezeout are best, we have a few dry spots that need attention.

We used the DeWALT 20V brushless drill with pilot hole countersink bit to make a few new screw holes, the DeWALT 20V brushless impact driver to drive the Frearson Head silicone bronze screws from Jamestown Distributors and the THIXO to glue everything together.

Restocked.

We used the putty knife to spread excess epoxy into the dry seams.

Here's a trick shared by Louis at Tips From a Shipwright, we placed a few screws under the sked to hold it up off of the table while it was drying.

Lamination Tips: https://youtu.be/AZzBhr-6A_E



Shifted our attention to marking a centerline on the ladder frame strongback. Pulled a tight line then marked the line on each station crossmember.

We'll need to make a bow stem pattern, took a look at the pattern from our Penobscot 14 to see how it might look.

Log of MARGARET ROSE.