Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? In today’s blog post, we will be diving into the exciting world of boat repairs as we follow Colin, a former chief engineer on super yachts, and his friends on their journey to fix up a hurricane-damaged Lagoon 450. With dreams of circumnavigating the entire planet, Colin’s determination and zest for life are sure to inspire you to live life to the fullest. In this episode, titled "WE’RE ALMOST DONE!! – Cracked bulkhead repair series – Part 10", Colin takes us through the process of tabbing and reinforcing the bulkhead, bringing us one step closer to their ultimate goal. So, grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and let’s jump into the action-packed world of boat repairs as we join Colin on this thrilling adventure.
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In this episode of our "Cracked bulkhead repair series," we are making significant progress towards completing the repair. With determination and a sense of adventure, my friends and I are fixing up our hurricane-damaged Lagoon 450, preparing it for our ultimate goal of circumnavigating the entire planet. As we continue on this journey, we hope to inspire others to embrace life to the fullest.
In this installment, we focus on cutting the glass for the tabbing, which will reinforce the bulkhead. We have carefully measured and marked all the dimensions, and it turns out there are 14 tabs on each side. Additionally, we are reinforcing the other side of the bulkhead by running a 70mm batten and securing it with glass for added strength. We are excited to begin putting all the pieces together and see the transformation happening before our eyes.
During the process, we encountered a minor setback as we ran out of filler to make the fillets for two sections. However, this doesn’t dampen our spirits, and we look forward to completing this final step the next day. With 99% of the glassing done, we take a moment to appreciate our progress and indulge in a well-deserved cerveza. Stay tuned for the upcoming episode, where we explore the completed glasswork and discuss the weight we have added to the boat, with a focus on maintaining performance and strengthening our vessel to prevent future issues.
1. Introduction: An Adventurous Journey of Repairing a Hurricane-Damaged Lagoon 450
In this episode, we continue our adventurous journey of repairing our hurricane-damaged Lagoon 450. As always, we are determined to live life to the fullest and inspire others to do the same. As the famous quote goes, "20 years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did," so why wait? Let’s dive into the latest progress!
On this episode, we start by cutting the glass for the tabbing. We carefully measure all the dimensions and find out that there are 14 tabs on each side. In addition, we strengthen the bulkhead by running a 70mm batten down one side and glassing it for added strength. After preparing our materials, we proceed to mix them thoroughly before starting to work on the starboard side. We use a chemical bond method for the glassing to ensure a secure connection. With the hard work and dedication, we successfully complete the glassing on this side, except for filling the fillets in two sections, which we will do tomorrow. This brings us to a significant milestone, as we have completed 99% of the glassing, and it’s time to celebrate with a well-deserved cerveza!
Now that the glassing is done, it’s time to check out how the epoxy has set up. We head to the port forward cabin and are pleased to see the excellent quality of our work. Some have expressed concerns about the added weight to the boat, but rest assured, we have not compromised its performance. The additional weight from the glass, resin, and plywood is comparable to that of an average-sized person. By reinforcing the primary bulkhead, we are confident that we have addressed the root cause of our issues. With a resilient bulkhead, we can now look forward to smoother sailing without the fear of cracking or breaking. Stay tuned for more updates on our exciting journey!
Stay adventurous and live life to the fullest,
The Repairing Nomads Team
2. Tabbing and Reinforcement: Ensuring Strength and Stability
In this episode, we continue our journey of repairing the cracked bulkhead on our hurricane-damaged Lagoon 450. Today, we focus on tabbing and reinforcement techniques to ensure strength and stability for our vessel.
After carefully measuring all the dimensions, we are ready to cut the glass for the tabbing. There will be multiple tabs installed on each side of the bulkhead to provide additional support. Additionally, we are reinforcing this side of the bulkhead by running a 70mm batten and glassing it for added strength. With the hardener mixed in, we are confident in the quality of our work.
Moving on to the starboard side, we secure the tabs with two Phillips screws to create a chemical bond for the glassing. The goal is to achieve a strong connection rather than relying solely on mechanical bonding. Although we ran out of filler for the fillets in two sections, we are proud of our progress as 99% of the glassing work is now complete. We briefly discuss the concerns about the weight we have added to the boat, but we are confident that the reinforced bulkhead will greatly improve the overall performance without compromising stability. With the primary bulkhead now reinforced, we are one step closer to our goal of circumnavigating the entire planet.
3. Assessing the Weight Concern: Balancing Performance and Durability
In this episode of the "Cracked bulkhead repair series," we’re making significant progress on repairing the bulkhead of our hurricane-damaged Lagoon 450. Our main focus today is assessing the weight concern and finding the right balance between performance and durability.
To reinforce the bulkhead, we are using a tabbing technique that involves cutting and measuring glass for each tab. There will be a total of 14 tabs on each side, providing additional strength and stability. Additionally, we will be reinforcing the side of the bulkhead by running a 70mm batten and glassing it for added support.
While some may express concern about the weight we’re adding to the boat, we believe that the benefits outweigh any potential drawbacks. The amount of weight we’ve added is equivalent to the weight of a single individual, but the added strength and durability significantly outweigh this small increase. Our primary goal is to ensure that this bulkhead remains secure and prevents any further issues throughout the boat.
By reinforcing the primary bulkhead, we are addressing the root cause of many of our previous issues. This repair is crucial for our plan to circumnavigate the entire planet. While there is still some work to be done, we’re happy with the progress we’ve made so far. Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll continue with the repair process and provide further updates on our journey towards a fully restored Lagoon 450.
4. Importance of the Primary Bulkhead: Safeguarding the Entire Boat
In this episode, we dive into the importance of the primary bulkhead and how it safeguards the entire boat. The primary bulkhead serves as a crucial structural element that ensures the integrity and stability of the vessel. Let’s take a closer look at why this part is so significant in our repair journey.
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Structural Integrity: The primary bulkhead plays a vital role in maintaining the structural integrity of the boat. By reinforcing this area with proper tabbing and additional support, we are ensuring that the bulkhead remains strong and resistant to any potential cracks or damage. This not only enhances the safety of the crew but also safeguards the overall structural stability of the entire boat.
- Prevention of Further Issues: As many of you know, most of our previous issues stemmed from this particular spot. By strengthening the primary bulkhead and addressing any existing cracks or weaknesses, we are taking a proactive approach to prevent any future issues throughout the boat. This comprehensive reinforcement will provide peace of mind and allow us to confidently continue our journey in circumnavigating the globe.
To visually demonstrate our progress, we invite you to join us as we explore the glasswork on board. We have put tremendous effort into this repair, and it’s time to celebrate the remarkable results. With the reinforcement and added weight, you might wonder if we sacrificed performance. Rest assured, while we did add some weight, the overall benefits far outweigh any minor reduction in speed. Our focus has always been on durability and ensuring that this primary bulkhead remains resilient to any challenges we may face during our voyage.
So, raise a glass with us, as we toast to the completion of yet another successful repair milestone. Stay tuned for more exciting updates and remember, seize the moment and embrace the adventure. Don’t let the fear of the unknown hold you back from pursuing your dreams. Get ready to embark on a fulfilling and inspiring journey with us. In conclusion, we’ve reached the final part of our cracked bulkhead repair series. It’s been quite a journey, but we’re almost done! From the very beginning, when Colin introduced himself as a former chief engineer on super yachts who gave it all up to pursue his dream of circumnavigating the planet on a hurricane-damaged Lagoon 450, we’ve witnessed the determination and passion that drives him and his friends.
Throughout the series, we’ve seen the meticulous process of repairing the bulkhead, from measuring and cutting the glass for tabbing to reinforcing the bulkhead with a 70mm batten. The attention to detail and commitment to ensuring strength and stability are evident in every step.
While we may have run out of filler to complete the fillets for two sections, it’s still an incredible effort. The majority of the glassing is done, with only a few tasks remaining. The hard work and dedication invested in this repair will undoubtedly pay off in the long run.
Colin addresses a common concern about the added weight due to the repair. However, he assures us that the reinforced bulkhead will not only solve existing issues but also enhance the boat’s overall performance. The weight added is significant, but it pales in comparison to the strength and stability gained.
As we enter the port forward cabin and witness the epoxy setting up, the results speak for themselves. The glasswork is impeccable, a testament to Colin and his team’s confidence and skill. The primary bulkhead, which has caused countless issues in the past, now stands strong and ready to face any challenge that comes its way.
In these ten episodes, we’ve not only learned about boat repairs but also gained inspiration to live life to the fullest. As Colin mentioned at the start, 20 years from now, we’ll be more disappointed by the things we didn’t do than the things we did. So, what are we waiting for?
Subscribe to Colin’s channel if you seek inspiration to pursue your dreams and embrace the adventure that life has to offer. Whether it’s repairing a damaged boat or pursuing any other goal, this series reminds us to never give up and always strive to push our limits.
Thank you for joining us on this incredible journey. We hope it has encouraged you to live life with passion and determination. Remember, we’re almost done, but the adventure continues!
