Expedition Evans youtube
- Thread starter CYQK
- Start date
I have been watching...
not sure where they got the layup schedule, seems heavy on the floor areas and light on the joints between the hull and the grid, but who knows what exactly they are laying down.
it looked like they laid glass over the big hole in the hull...will be interesting to see how they finish that from the outside.
They didn’t say much about where the chain plates are glasses in (but they did remove the gel coat up that far. Hopefully those are solid.
I would be concerned about all that dust they generated and what it might do to wiring, etc. sort of like smoke soot...
But hey, gutsy move on their part to take a chance on this vessel and see if they can fix it.
I don’t think I would buy it knowing the history, but then again, the original construction wasn’t that all that good...
Greg
www.youtube.com
not sure where they got the layup schedule, seems heavy on the floor areas and light on the joints between the hull and the grid, but who knows what exactly they are laying down.
it looked like they laid glass over the big hole in the hull...will be interesting to see how they finish that from the outside.
They didn’t say much about where the chain plates are glasses in (but they did remove the gel coat up that far. Hopefully those are solid.
I would be concerned about all that dust they generated and what it might do to wiring, etc. sort of like smoke soot...
But hey, gutsy move on their part to take a chance on this vessel and see if they can fix it.
I don’t think I would buy it knowing the history, but then again, the original construction wasn’t that all that good...
Greg
Expedition Evans
We're going to sail the world. But first we have to fix our newly purchased, salvaged 2008 Beneteau 49! It's going to be an long battle with fiberglass..... ...
I'm no expert but their work seems pretty hap-hazard, especially compared to another DIY like Mads from SailLife. Seems like a lesson in how not to do it. Plus they needlessly took the tops off the grid sections, which they will need to restore to perfectly flat to put the floor sections back in.
I seem to remember an earlier video in which they offered that they were not really experienced in boat building.
Not knocking them for a minute. I'm green with envy for their age and ambition and wish I were in their shoes but this is NOT the kind of video anyone with a boat wants to watch for DIY ideas.
IMO, check out Boatworks Today for really professional DIY ideas.
Many opinions here, my boat was done by a master ship builder and there is a guy on this form having his 423 done now. As far as refastening the grid they are doing it right ,that boat will be 10 X stronger than factory with matrix glassed in with Epoxy rather than glued in with thickened vinyl ester resin. 1) epoxy is stronger than vinyl ester or polyester. The chain plates are not affective by matrix glue fail , the matrix is glued and as it goes up the side of the hull its glassed in and this is where the chain plates are also glassed to the hull. The hull will become about 3/8 of an inch thicker . It becomes way quieter no creeking of floor boards or furniture/ bulkheads or outside water sound whatsoever, it stiffens the boat right up no more benefold.
Its a lot of dust ,but it never effected my boat done 5 years ago and trust me I have gone out in pretty rough water where one day 2 boats had problems crack in hull and a known blue water boat taking on water ,nothing to mine
I would feel safer in that boat crossing an ocean than a new one
Its a lot of dust ,but it never effected my boat done 5 years ago and trust me I have gone out in pretty rough water where one day 2 boats had problems crack in hull and a known blue water boat taking on water ,nothing to mine
I would feel safer in that boat crossing an ocean than a new one
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Yep, they have a lot to learn and seem very much caught up in the dream. I hope it works out for them, however, I wouldn't rely on them for technical knowledge or insights.
They actually got professional guidance and advise as to the repair , the boatyard "professionals" however they ripped the keel off and were totally useless and had no idea how to remove the keel properly . Its actually done with heat as the member on this site had done on his 423.
Hiring "Professionals " does not always have positive outcomes , there are many people who think they are and are clueless . As a Maintenance Manger for 40 years for a large corporation, I have seen it all ,those that can do ,do and those that can't are no more than clueless arm chair judges.
Their enthusiasm makes it a fun watch, similar to Sail Life in that sense. It’s clear that the project is part of the fun for them, not just necessary drudgery. They’re not professionals but they do mention consulting with at least some others. Without knowing who they’re talking to behind the scenes and how much it’s hard to say how hasty they’re being.
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They are certainly not the perfectionist that Madds on Sail Life is, but I hope they get their boat fixed up and back in the water successfully.
Greg
Greg
I admire their youth, tenacity, vision, and continued execution. Their project is a marathon, not a sprint.
I watched carefully in slow motion - during the first layup episode, as I was curious to see how they planned the layup schedule. Watching the first layer go down, I was concerned, 'oh my, that is not the size or position I would have put down the first layer'. But, as I watched layer after layer go on, they have more than covered any strength and adhesion concerns I had. (I believe they said 10 layers in all, equaling 3/8" additional layup.)
This boats lower hull assembly is - no doubt in my mind - going to be stronger than any other of that model that left the factory. After watching this episode I did quite a bit of reading on the internet as to - open grid attachment, closed grid-pan attachment, adhesion techniques including :
1 - fiberglassing the grid to the hull with traditional materials,
2 - epoxy and glassing the grid to the hull,
3 - Polyurethane (PU) industrial adhesives pan to hull.
My choice would be an open grid which is epoxy-glassed to the hull (what they have ended up doing after cutting open the pan floors). You can see and build each attachment seam.
Internet opinions are all over the place, but in summary, IF the proper techniques and products are used, it would seem a closed pan which is polyurethane adhesive'd to the hull would be more than adequate (this appears to be the Beneteau design). These modern adhesives are so strong they are SUPPOSED to rip the substrate out rather than give up their tenacious grip. I was rather horrified, however, to see the ease with which the Evans were able to chisel up the original factory PU adhesive strips from the hull. Clearly the pan had separated from the hull somewhat easily, and there are other documented cases of the same.
In addition, the closed plan with grid work and finished floors between grids creates a beautiful finish inside the boat, but there is no access to check the adhesive process and bond - one is 100% dependent on a good PU adhesive application and grip when pressing the grid pan into place. Press it down and you are done, hope the contact area is good all around. Can't see anything.
Finally, it was disturbing to see the laminate layup of the factory grid-pan and how it de-laminated so easily between gel coat and underlying structure layers. It is possible the flex of the grounding compromised the grid beams somehow, but it looked more to me like a lack of quality control in original manufacture of the grid pan. The whole point of the grid is box girder strength, which is then securely fastened to the hull. If the girders are compromised in original manufacture the whole assembly is less strong, regardless of how the grid is attached (the three possible methods mentioned above).
Summary - while their layup schedule was not designed by a nautical architect, I believe the end result will be WAY stronger than the original factory build, and they should have confidence in their hull.
And, they are so adorable as a couple, don't you think?
It is just a joy to watch them reassemble their dream. Well done - they.
Best DIY education boat-building channel ? - no. See others mentioned above.
Good inspiring entertainment and inspiration ? - yes.
I watched carefully in slow motion - during the first layup episode, as I was curious to see how they planned the layup schedule. Watching the first layer go down, I was concerned, 'oh my, that is not the size or position I would have put down the first layer'. But, as I watched layer after layer go on, they have more than covered any strength and adhesion concerns I had. (I believe they said 10 layers in all, equaling 3/8" additional layup.)
This boats lower hull assembly is - no doubt in my mind - going to be stronger than any other of that model that left the factory. After watching this episode I did quite a bit of reading on the internet as to - open grid attachment, closed grid-pan attachment, adhesion techniques including :
1 - fiberglassing the grid to the hull with traditional materials,
2 - epoxy and glassing the grid to the hull,
3 - Polyurethane (PU) industrial adhesives pan to hull.
My choice would be an open grid which is epoxy-glassed to the hull (what they have ended up doing after cutting open the pan floors). You can see and build each attachment seam.
Internet opinions are all over the place, but in summary, IF the proper techniques and products are used, it would seem a closed pan which is polyurethane adhesive'd to the hull would be more than adequate (this appears to be the Beneteau design). These modern adhesives are so strong they are SUPPOSED to rip the substrate out rather than give up their tenacious grip. I was rather horrified, however, to see the ease with which the Evans were able to chisel up the original factory PU adhesive strips from the hull. Clearly the pan had separated from the hull somewhat easily, and there are other documented cases of the same.
In addition, the closed plan with grid work and finished floors between grids creates a beautiful finish inside the boat, but there is no access to check the adhesive process and bond - one is 100% dependent on a good PU adhesive application and grip when pressing the grid pan into place. Press it down and you are done, hope the contact area is good all around. Can't see anything.
Finally, it was disturbing to see the laminate layup of the factory grid-pan and how it de-laminated so easily between gel coat and underlying structure layers. It is possible the flex of the grounding compromised the grid beams somehow, but it looked more to me like a lack of quality control in original manufacture of the grid pan. The whole point of the grid is box girder strength, which is then securely fastened to the hull. If the girders are compromised in original manufacture the whole assembly is less strong, regardless of how the grid is attached (the three possible methods mentioned above).
Summary - while their layup schedule was not designed by a nautical architect, I believe the end result will be WAY stronger than the original factory build, and they should have confidence in their hull.
And, they are so adorable as a couple, don't you think?
It is just a joy to watch them reassemble their dream. Well done - they.
Best DIY education boat-building channel ? - no. See others mentioned above.
Good inspiring entertainment and inspiration ? - yes.
I was pleased to see in the video comments many posters claiming to be composite professionals giving them a hearty thumbs up. As mentioned, they did seek professional advice and are really showing us in an entertaining fashion their trials and tribulations in forging through the process. I don't think they were intending this as a functional "how to."
These two took a much smarter route than most. Instead of buying an old boat that needs a full restoration and full of bad surprises, they bought a practically new boat with one serious problem area. Sure - a keel falling off is something to worry about but the engine, rigging, sails, spars, electronics, wiring, steering, tanks, chainplates, decks - and so on - appear to be in "like new" condition. Better, the repair will not be visible after they're done so they don't need great cosmetics - which is where amateur work usually comes up short compared to pro's. And he's a pilot - a careful breed. I like their chances.
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Yes, I have been watching from the beginning. I would never take on a similar project; dont have the time, expertise, desire, nor stamina!
I would imagine it would cost a fortune to have a yard do the job and quite frankly, I dont know if I would trust a yard to perform the work in a high quality fashion to ensure an adequate outcome. Geez, the factory job was not even good to began with! I believe that they consulted with fiberglass/composite experts along the way, and I am sure that there are different approaches to addressing the repair, using different materials and layups. One thing is for sure, with ten layups the boat is going to be heavier and stronger than a factory finished boat.
It is an entertaining series and admittedly, I look forward to watching the new video every Friday. They have been literally working their tales off on this project. Only criticisms that I have are that they should have done a better job of isolating & evacuating the compartment as well as used dust capturing equipment on the grinders and sanders to prevent the dust from spreading. Also, I think they should be more careful with PPE not only while sanding & grinding, but also while epoxying the layups. I would be using the suits, rubber gloves, and organic vapor face masks. I am curious as to what the boat cost them, the equipment & supplies cost, and the manhours expended to complete the repair. I hope it all works out for them, and I think that it will. They are obviously determined to see the repair through to the end. Should have a beautiful boat when completed. They do make a great husband & wife team and their video filming & production skills are quite good also! I certainly wish them the best of luck.
My disconnect was that the largest part of the glass they laid went on the hull or upper grid, which aren't helpful to the grid attachment.
I think some of the things they found from the factory lay up, they will not be worse off for their efforts. Get a reset by watching Sailing Yaba or Parlay Revival. Sailing Yaba seems like pitch and tar repairs to get to the next stop and Parlay Revival seems like rebuild while floating with "really bad luck" if you want to call it that.
They found some delam in the grid pan structure as well, so addressing BOTH concerns. Kudos for enthusiasm going in knowing they were going to need that repair. In the last episode they mentioned it was worse than anticipated, but only regret (so far) is in their timeline. Not sure if that is self-induced or a hard stop for something else.
I just started Sailing Yaba....holy cow...nail some plywood over the holes and hope you get to your next port of call! Far cry from the very deliberate and methodical approach by Odd Life Crafting...their friends at the same marina.
Greg
Now that SV Yaba is a little further along, I stand by my original assessment from afar: They were dumb to buy it in the first place, and even now it would be better to light a match and let that thing die.
Odd, on the other hand..Wow! Much better process from my view.
Both of them make me wonder how in the heck they are affording all this. Does a YT channel really make that much money? Is there a fat trust fund sitting somewhere?
Odd, on the other hand..Wow! Much better process from my view.
Both of them make me wonder how in the heck they are affording all this. Does a YT channel really make that much money? Is there a fat trust fund sitting somewhere?