[mjkkemper]

I few years ago i took on my first fiberglass build for a swim platform for a 270DA Sea ray. Link below. Well i since moved into a different boat and of course am now building another one.

http://www.lakestclair.net/forums/in...p;#entry839332


I am building this for an 86 Carver 3207 Aft Cabin. With the 80's style aft cabin you have a ladder leading down to the plate form. I am planning on putting a set of Fiberglass stairs down to it for the Kids and ease of access. I also going to incorporate a box/seat on the platform

I started with the stairs making a negative female plug. The boat has some interesting curves so it took quit a few trips to make sure the paper patters where correct. Attached is the sketch of how it will look when finished

I will update this post if anyone is interested in its progress

[mjkkemper]

Below is the progress on the female Plugs/Molds. After I finish rounding the corner i will spray the tooling gel then wax with a parting wax (about 8 times) at this point it will be ready for the fiberglass layup

[Fireman431]

I am very interested in seeing how this comes out. I have a Carver 374 Voyager and it has a ladder to the fly bridge. I was just remarking yesterday on how I would like a set of steps instead.

Please continue to update this thread. I may be PMing you...

[YachtForums]

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[captnrontx]

Originally Posted by mjkkemper

Below is the progress on the female Plugs/Molds. After I finish rounding the corner i will spray the tooling gel then wax with a parting wax (about 8 times) at this point it will be ready for the fiberglass layup

I wish I had your talent. I could do so much more with my Carver.

[mjkkemper]

I will try to figure out how to resize these so that the Pixel Police will be happy

[mjkkemper]

Ok lets try this again. I did have aditional photo's but i guess they are just to wide

-Quick update-

The Plug for the Platform is complete. Ready for Gelcote and Fiberglass when i get back from vacation. The Red color will help in making sure I have a even coat of white gelcoat.

The stairs are primed and sanded ready for their red coat.

[Fireman431]

You appear to be doing high quality work. Very nice. The hardest part for me would be to decipher the fact that I'm building a negative of what I really need.

Just as a starting point for me to consider for my vessel, what would be the finished price for that set of custom made steps (no swim platform)? PM me if I'm breaking some sort of policy or rule.

[mjkkemper]

-Week end Progress-

Finished waxing and spraying the release agent

Spayed the Gelcoat on the molds

One layer of surfacing Veil (3/4oz Fiberglass) on the swimplaform


My fiberglass schedule is a follows:

PLATFORM
2 coats of parting film
2 coats of gel coat no wax
1 layer of surfacing veil
2 layers of 1.5 oz chop mat
1 layer of 1708 Bi-axle
3/8" end-grain balsa
1 layer of 1.5 chop mat
1 Layer of 1708 Bi-axle
1 layer of 1.oz chop mat
possible layer of woven fabric

STAIR
2 coats of parting film
2 coats of Gelcoat no wax
1 layer of 3/4oz surface veil
2 Layers of 1.5oz mat
1 Layer of 1708 Biaxle
-coring on the steps-
2 layers of mat
Possible layer of woven fabric

SEAT
Same as the stairs

[mjkkemper]

Originally Posted by Fireman431

You appear to be doing high quality work. Very nice. The hardest part for me would be to decipher the fact that I'm building a negative of what I really need.

Just as a starting point for me to consider for my vessel, what would be the finished price for that set of custom made steps (no swim platform)? PM me if I'm breaking some sort of policy or rule.

I am not really sure in that this is just a hobbie born out of necessity given the prices they charge to have these made. I am lucky on the 3207 its just two steps to the fly bridge. the draw back is the ladder down to the swim-platform

[L Davis]

WOW....you do great work!!!!, very interesting, please keep us all informed,
any pictures of other glass projects?? (would love to see them)

[mjkkemper]

First layer of 3/4oz surface veil on the stairs.

Veil, 1.5oz chop mat and 1708 Bi-axle going on the plate form

Photobucket link


http://s1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff498/mjkkemper/

[mjkkemper]

finished the last coat of fiberglass on the stairs and demolded

Hung it from the rafters and let gravity do the work

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_2317.jpg


set the stairs up on the platform
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_2336.jpg

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_2330.jpg

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/...r/IMG_2327.jpg

[JustMag]

I'd say you were pretty good as a hobbyist! Those look awesome! Do you use and chopper guns or any mechanical equipment?? Or all hand laid?? Fabulous work!

[mjkkemper]

All hand layup. a choper gun would have been nice. Below is prior to adding the resin

Images Removed. Please resize.