How to apply fiberglass on daggerboard/rudder

Hi,

I wanted to protect the leading and trailing edges of the daggerboard and the rudder with a strip of fiberglass. The attempt failed it just wan't bend around the sharp edges, it keeps floating away. 

It would be great if anyone of you could tell the trick how to do this.

Thanks for your hepl
Reinhard 


1 reply:

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RE: How to apply fiberglass on daggerboard/rudder

Here's what I would suggest:

Do the edges in sections. Do the tougest part of the rounded part of the daggerboard or rudder in one section, and the straight or easier part in another section(s).

Cut your fiberglass cloth so that it's bias ply (with the weave on a 45 degree angle). Cut it a few inches too wide. 

Put some making tape along the inside edge of where you want the fiberglass to reach on the board or rudder. 

Put on two pair of those thin latex gloves so that, if your fingers get gooey, you can quickly pull off a pair and keep working.

Lay the cloth down on some scrap cardboard. Dab some resin into the center of the cloth where it will hit the edge of the board, but leave the edges dry.

Work the wet center of the cloth across the edge of the rudder/daggerboard on the toughest section first. With your fingers, smooth the bias ply around the curve as you go. Then dab more resin into the cloth until you reach the tape. Smooth it out. Hopefully, you have some dry cloth left on the other side of the tape. 

Peal off your gooey gloves. Take some new tape and, if necessary, attach it to the dry part of the cloth and tension the cloth so that it clings to the edges.

Have a cup of coffee.

After the resin has stiffened up a bit, use a razor blade or similar sharp knife to cut away the excess cloth along the making tape. If needed, also cut away any excess cloth so that the next set of cloth can fit properly against it.

Repeat with the next section.

 

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