This technique entails the use of a batten mold for
which the full size patterns for each frame are supplied with the construction drawing.
Upon building the frame of the mould 1 ½"x 5/8" battens fairly closely spaced
are laid up over them. To this a cheap rigid polyurethane foam, masonite or malamine
covered plywood is lain on and the complete outer laminate of the Fibreglass is laid over
this former. It is possible that with the battens placed closer together than normal,
plastic sheeting can then be stapled over the mould and the fiberglass laminates laid
directly onto this. The hull is then turned up the right way and, if foam is used, it is
now removed .In some of the smaller boats it is possible to put channels in the cheap foam
and use a modified type of sandwich construction. This only applies in vessels up to
24’. In other cases it may be possible to have enough thickness in the outer skin so that
stringers or reinforcements will be unnecessary. Bulkheads, furniture and the floors, will
give adequate framing without the addition of ribs or stringers. This construction is
generally limited to vessels up to 40’ in length. With the addition of stringers and
ribs a vessel of up to 100 feet may be built using this technique.The deck and
superstructure can be built using Bruce Roberts 'Panel technique' ( see Bruce's book
'BOATBUILDING') or other fiberglass construction methods
This technique entails the use of a batten mold for
which the full size patterns for each frame are supplied with the construction drawing.
Upon building the frame of the mould 1 ½"x 5/8" battens fairly closely spaced
are laid up over them. To this a cheap rigid polyurethane foam, masonite or malamine
covered plywood is lain on and the complete outer laminate of the Fibreglass is laid over
this former. It is possible that with the battens placed closer together than normal,
plastic sheeting can then be stapled over the mould and the fiberglass laminates laid
directly onto this. The hull is then turned up the right way and, if foam is used, it is
now removed .In some of the smaller boats it is possible to put channels in the cheap foam
and use a modified type of sandwich construction. This only applies in vessels up to
24’. In other cases it may be possible to have
enough thickness in the outer skin so that
stringers or reinforcements will be unnecessary. Bulkheads, furniture and the floors, will
give adequate framing without the addition of ribs or stringers. This construction is
generally limited to vessels up to 40’ in length. With the addition of stringers and
ribs a vessel of up to 100 feet may be built using this technique.The deck and
superstructure can be built using Bruce Roberts 'Panel technique' ( see Bruce's book
'BOATBUILDING') or other fiberglass construction methods