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Bottom panel slipped while curing

Submitted by jeffh - Sun, 4/4/10 » 9:07 AM

My MC 16.5 has two bottom panels. I measured, remreasured several times. I clamped it down thoroughly and still it moved. Now it is unfair and off center at one end by more than 1/8". It looks very similar to the picture in the manual. Is there any way to repair this or do I have to live with it? Maybe it is not as bad as I think.

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RE: Bottom panel slipped while curing

» Submitted by jeffh - Sun, 4/4/10 » 9:08 AM

[IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/limulus/DSC_1534.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y266/limulus/DSC_1531.jpg[/IMG]

RE: Bottom panel slipped while curing

» Submitted by LarryMcInnis - Sun, 4/4/10 » 9:47 AM

Jeff, if you remove the [IMG] and [/IMG] from your image posts, they'll become instant links to the Photobucket website. As they are, you have to copy/paste the http://... part into a new Tab or Window.

No biggies, wasn't sure if you were aware of that formatting issue.

Can't help on your panels but someone will be along shortly, for sure.

Good luck,

Larry

RE: Bottom panel slipped while curing

» Submitted by jeffh - Sun, 4/4/10 » 10:35 AM

Thanks Larry. Most sites require the IMG. So here are the pics. The first is the scarf on the bottom panels. The left side slipped and you can see the gap. The second shows that one end is now off center.

RE: Bottom panel slipped while curing

» Submitted by dehager - Sun, 4/4/10 » 11:35 AM

Just mark a new center line, take some measurements and loft a new line to trim and even up the panel. My mill Creek is actually a MC 16.375... Most important is that the panel is equal on both sides so it does not affect tracking. You will need to trim a little off the bow and stern when you get it all stitched together.

MC 16.5 http://dehager.smugmug.com/Boats/CLC-Mill-Creek-165/6686487_BbGBe

RE: Bottom panel slipped while curing

» Submitted by twofootartist - Sun, 4/4/10 » 1:51 PM

A basic maxim of kayak building that I told my daughter this morning: there is almost nothing you can do that can't be fixed. -Wes

RE: Bottom panel slipped while curing

» Submitted by jeffh - Sun, 4/4/10 » 2:25 PM

Thanks Lads. I got an email from John Harris. Since my boat has been curing for just a day, a heat gun may actually free the joint.

RE: Bottom panel slipped while curing

» Submitted by David.Donaldson - Sun, 4/4/10 » 3:11 PM

I had a similar issue with my WD12, found a 6" section on the deck joint that was mis-aligned after tack welding... heated a chisel with a propane tourch and gently removed the epoxy, adjusted and re-tacked. Worked wonderfully.

Good luck, looking forward to seeing finished product.

RE: Bottom panel slipped while curing

» Submitted by jeffh - Sun, 4/4/10 » 4:36 PM

Thanks to the tip from John Harris, I have saved the ship er um kayak! My Milwaukee heat gun made quick work of the 26 hr old epoxy. It took about 10 minutes. As I was working, I did scorch a small 2" section of wood, but I'm going to paint the bottom and the inside with Interlux. The deck is all I plan to varnish. I'll bet a soldering iron would also work for heating up the epoxy.