The recently completed installation of the forward cleat blocking pieces was carried out with very high humidity and a cloudless sky meaning I struggled with the very short curing time window for the glue mixture.
I found, as expected, that although I have two large access holes for my hands to fit tapes, I had no visibility of the process and even the experience of many years working blind on military aircraft whilst checking with a mirror did not help.
Therefore I decided to use a combination of bonding angle for the straight sections and shorter overlapping tape at the corners.
Below: I had some 750gm weft triax previously infused at 90 degrees over 3 metres, so I cut three pieces for each bow.
Above: After checking the size and shape, I decided (below) to fit the angle to the blocking piece as this would eliminate any possibility of pushing the bonding angle down and not getting an even contact on all the surface area.
Below: As normal glue was smeared everywhere!
Below: The blocking piece was fitted, tapped in by hand and excess cleaned up.
Below: Three timber pieces were jammed sideways and two length wise to ensure the bonding angle had maximum contact.
These next photos show the installed blocking, the access holes being plugged and then cleaned up ready for the deck piece, which will be fitted when I have completed the sail locker flush access hatch.
Above: Access holes
Sophisticated access hole plug fitting jig.
Below: Starboard hull, just to prove I did it too
Below: Glued in with even more sophisticated force applicators
Below: Finally blocking installed ready for the deck
Below – How the deck looked once glued and taped on the underside.
The Scrumble Project 