USACA

Just leaving now to launch Predator.

Last job was rudder alignment.

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Non skid is such an easy thing to do, but there are some tips to make it look really nice. First mask off the area where the nonskid will be applied. Lightly sand that area with 220 grit paper, be sure to get right into the edge of the masking tape. I use a small trim roller to apply the paint, it is best to use a very short nap 1/8” fiber roller rather than foam otherwise the nonskid particles will destroy the roller. Again I used Awlgrip paint with no reducer so I could applied a nice even thick coat of paint, no runs. This paint surface is the most import thing in getting a nice even grip surface, take your time make it even. Directly after the paint has been rolled drop the Awlgrip particles ( coarse griptex ) into the paint. Best to be generous when applying the griptex, the paint will pick up all that it needs for an even coating. Horizontal surfaces are easily coated, Use a flour sifter for a nice even coat. Vertical surfaces are harder, I took a hand full of griptex and blew it onto the wet paint surface. I used a baking tray to catch all the particles that fall off so they can be reused.

Let paint sit for 24 hours.

Rudder head fabrication. Not the most fun project and honestly I was reluctant to take on the job.

Rudder head mold: I used a product called Starboard. It is a sheet of vinyl board that is easily worked, tough, and requires no finishing as resin releases off the surface quite easy. Although I did PVA the surface just to the sure. The rudder heads are a copy of the A2 style as a single piece assembly with a stiffing flange around the perimeter. The mold was screwed together to create the flanges which also makes it easy to break the mold apart to release the finished piece. Good news is the first piece came off the mold with little problems and the mold is undamaged and ready to use again.

Not a lot has happened since the last update except for a lot of sanding and preparation.

All the hard work is slowly paying off. Preparation is 100% of a good job. The boat looks fantastic.

I primed the deck with Awlgrip 545 and mixed white and a grey base color together to get a light gray color.

The finished boat will look much like the hulls do now but with a gloss coat of medium gray and whisper gray on the deck.