SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Projects => Topic started by: Twisted Liquid Marine on January 08, 2017, 05:53:20 AM
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I just recently posted about getting ready to start a new build of a vintage 18' T-deck design. I purchased this mold from the guys at Cobra Performance Boats a few years ago, and since that time it's sat in the yard waiting for the right time. That time has come and the project in underway.
We're just about ready to start the first Tornado 180 T-Deck. The mold buffed out very nicely and we've put seven coats of wax down to get it ready. It is a seasoned mold, but we don't want to take any chances. Gel coat has been ordered and should spray it around the end of the week. Indy Red base, with Gun Metal and Bright Silver metallic graphics. Going to add a little flake to the red too. Interior will be a Silver base with red and black accents.
This first build we be a full stringer hull. Power will come from a mild BBF spinning a Berkeley pump. Setback pump, seating for 5 and lots of eye candy are planned for the newest addition to the TLM lineup. Here's a few pictures to get started...
Here's what the mold looked like when we cracked it open
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Getting closer. A few repairs to the mold cradle, some time with the buffing wheel and seven coats of wax
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Design sheet rendering. Simple and elegant.
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More as we progress...
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All taped up and ready for gel coat. Shooting it tomorrow.
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Man that thing is gonna look SWEET!! Keep up the progress pics...
Sent from my shop setting in my boat making motor noises
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Alright, looks like things are back in order.
Color going down on the new T-Deck. First the Black pin lines
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Next comes a coat of Diamond Clear, followed by another coat of clear with Silver Flake added. Next comes our base color of Indy Red. The Silver Flake overlays the red.
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Next we shot Gun Metal Silver Metallic on the deck perimeter and wide center stripes. The top scallop on the hull is also Gun Metal.
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The small side stripes and the bottom scallop on the hull are Bright Silver Metallic, but I forgot to snap a picture after spraying it. Everything gets backed up with black to finish it out.
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We started skinning the boat the next day. All hand laminated with vinyl ester resin.
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Progress Report - Things are moving along nicely, just a little slower at the moment. We're having to pattern all the various wood components in the boat, as the mold came with no templates. The deck is basically done and ready to pull after a little grinding.
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Transom is in. We're currently laying out and fabricating stringers.
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Once this is all in, we can pattern bulkheads, pop this thing from the mold, and start putting it together.
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First look
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Stringers are in. Mocked up now for bulkheads and interior. Front buckets and a forward-facing rear bench.
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Progress Report:[/font][/size]Fitting the deck and hull together in preparation for bonding
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Finishing up the bonding and fitting bulkheads. First is the crash bulkhead being hot tabbed in. It will be fully tabbed and flow coated before installing the main bulkhead.
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New windshield arrived[/font]
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Once the main bulkhead is in, the boat will go to our fuel tank shop to have tanks designed and fabricated.[/font][/size]