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| Save that Veil... It's Tulle! |
Because, in your dreams, every detail matters.
- Wedding Veil Ad Copy
Tulle + TBIII + Paint: A Promising Sheathing Combo
In our endless search for cheaper solutions to common problems, we seem to be closing in on a minimum. Specifically, in regards to a plywood sheathing system.
Previous posts - More Than One Way to Sheath a Boat and Deck Sheathing: Alternatives to Fiberglass and Plastic Resins - explored alternatives we've tried. Our state-of-the-art is woven acrylic fabric (sometimes sold as 'Dynel') providing a matrix for TiteBond III water-based (but 'proof') glue.
Problem is, formerly cheap acrylic went from about $5 to $25 per yard (yikes!) over the last ten years.
So we hunted around. Synthetic fabrics of every stripe were durn expensive, and we were reduced to collecting second-hand sheets (not a bad option, but take a lot of piecework).
And there was Tulle (bridal veil material)! We found some made of polyester that covered the horizontal decks of our new boat with plenty to double it on high-wear areas. All for about $1 per yard (less in quantity) through Amazon. TiteBond III is still cheap as paint.
Tulle wets down well, and the drying TBIII first layer has little problem pulling it flat (but help it along creases by spreading flat). It conforms well to tight-radius exterior and interior edges. With two coats of TBIII and topcoat of paint, the result is a moderately textured surface over a thick, reinforced film of hard-set glue protected from UV by paint.
So Tulle looks good as an inexpensive alternative to other synthetic fabrics. Time will tell... the gold standard is about 15 years.
Watch this space!
Our Application Procedure:
- Prep surface (smooth and tack-free)
- Pre-cut Tulle to fit
- Wet down Tulle with water (soaks the wood under)
- Immediately brush TiteBond III (ample, but don't sweat it)
- Let dry (will draw down Tulle for initial bond)
- Lightly sand sharp points, edges or ridges, if any and tack
- Apply second coat of TBIII (ample, but brush out to preserve weave)
- Let dry
- Prime while still 'green' (within 24hrs)
- Topcoat
One cool aspect is that, with judicious selection of products and a warm, breezy day, starting with a prepared deck we can (theoretically) manage five coats (2xTB, 1x primer, and 2x topcoat) in one long summer day. And much of that is kicking back and watching it dry.
Cheap AND efficient!
Bridal Veils for boat building? I know we often refer to them in female terms.... Is Anke doing the subliminal thing lol?
ReplyDeleteTightbond 2 is waterproof once cured?
Interesting
Michael the anonymous
Hi Michael,
DeleteWe have a construction friend who uses TiteBond II here in SE and is happy with it. He figures that even if an exposed end goes soft, the interior of a joint will be fine. But it's not rated waterproof. TiteBond III is our choice.
I've heard that Shorty Routh uses TBIII exclusively in his Puddle Duck Racers (PDRacer.com), including for fillets, thickened with sawdust run through a blender! It shrinks while curing... good to keep in mind when experimenting.
Oh, and nothing subliminal about Anke! 8)
Dave Z
Well Anke is a cutie :-)
DeleteGood to see a new post from you, I have been keen to catch up with progress. Photos any time soon? Is the design taking shape? Many questions.........
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteLife's been busy! A cool, wet early summer, and events have held us to a slow pace. Autumn is looming with winter snapping at its heels.
But yes, LUTRA is moving along. Just finished the structural portions and about to begin mounting removables (handrails, cleats, tabernacles, rudder, etc).
With luck, even at this pace, we'll be launched in the next two months.
Thanks for checking!
Dave Z
That's sounds really positive, I have been following for many years, and am very excited about your latest project.
DeleteDespite the incessant (almost pathological) desire to to build my own boat, I took the decision to get a second hand production model, 32ft Southerly, with lifting keel. Boat needs work, hydraulics, keel, engine, fuel tank, but hoping to be ready Spring 2026.
Still, as ever, looking forward to those photos......
Kind regards,
Matt
Hi Matt,
DeleteMy own almost pathological desire is to go sailing. The only reason I build is that we can't (couldn't) find production boats with our wishlist... heavy on shoal draft. But the SOUTHERLYs look promising. I especially like the sound of their grounding plates!
Good luck with the renovation, and I hope to have photos up soon.
Dave Z
Dave,
DeleteYes, a Southerly is just about the only production boat I could find that fits the, common sense, desire for shoal draft. Advantages, less build time / more sailing and higher re-sale value. Key disadvantages (as you have written about extensively) more complicated and specialist systems such as hydraulics, lifting keel, engine, stern gear, rudder, and rig. On the more esoteric side, my brain still craves the rich alchemy of creativity, vision, design, and graft, that comprises building your own boat. A deep seated desire that hasn't gone away, and I feel never will. On the other hand, if I get my act together, there is the potential to find a comfortable seat from which to observe coming sh show, once the performance begins.
Regards,
Matt
Well, it's easier to 'dumb' a complicated design down than to bootstrap a simple design toward complexity (at least successfully). I mean, you can always skip the engine and hydraulics and even refit the rig (junk?) if you've the inclination. The keel can go to leeboards, though not sure that would be a good fit... if the swing keel is robust and fail-safer, it'll probably work well. Sounds like it's a well-proven design, at any rate.
DeleteSo yeah... go sailin' and turn that yen for design into making this one fit for you! Plenty of options ahead.
After all, the show is afoot.
Dave Z
Yet more refining to volkscruzerish, proletariat boat home building. Thank you for championing the cause! In these perilous economic and geopolitical times more important than ever.
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteIt does seem a moment to be looking for inexpensive means to attain social distance!
Dave Z