Catamaran Cockpit Rebuild. Onboard Lifestyle ep.30 

Thanks Harold...it's people like you that make all of this effort so worth it!

Thanks Dan...I would have been happy with 28!

I wouldn't say genius...every day I learn a bit more!

Thank you Arthur! XO

Thanks Annette...Emma is the best, we are very proud!

I told Linh that what she said would raise an eyebrow or two...congrats on being the first to comment!

Thanks Barton!

I see that you are a connoisseur of minimalist design. Google: Cycladic architecture And google: Villa Fabrica

Wish it was that easy Richard...We are paying for this project as we go and we are working hard to reach our goals. Both Linh and I work hard to make sure the boat will be ready, our cruising kitty is full, and Emma's college fund is secured. That is the biggest reason this project took us over 8 years and now we are just months away!

We are kicking around ideas for our background video...standy by for that!

It was a hard sell with some smooth talking.

Thanks for the binge Jimi,, welcome aboard and stay tuned for many more episodes...we are just getting started!

I have my routine...I scan Craigslist daily, Check out Defenders clearance section, browse ebay weekly, and hit every marine swap meet and auction. We have been collecting items for the boat for most of this decade and have avoided getting a few time sensitive things for right before we leave( EPIRB, life raft, batteries, electronics, etc.)

We have a similar "routine".

This was one of my first attempts to build something with NidaCore about 5-6 years ago...the next table design will have some fun features for sure!

We will be building a custom seat for sure. Our "to-do" list is long so that project has been pushed out a bit...it's coming!

Sorry, I saw it........

Yes, we have 7 scuppers now and plan to add a large emergency scupper behind the cockpit door.

I used the seating areas for multiple 4" chases for propane, electrical, plumbing, engine control cables, and hydraulic lines for steering. There is still 50% of the area under the seating left and we will cut in inspection hatches and can use that area for additional storage. I know that everyone always wants to have as much storage as possible on a boat but on a multihull that is not always a good thing. We are a weight sensitive vessel and by making more areas to fill will only create that urge to fill them.

I didnt see any way to access that when you removed the cushions.

That's awesome Andrew! Thanks for sharing!

Good eye Derek! We will put the non skid down after deck hardware and our final topcoat. That will happen when we haul out next spring...thanks for watching!

Yes, we will ultimately build a full removable enclosure and I was thinking of building a spot to hang lines for that area.

She is a 1993 Custom 435 Catamaran designed by Jace Hobbs and built by Mastermold Composite Services in Florida. You can see her full specs in the "Sailor's Multihull Guide" 2nd edition pages 254-255

If you ever thought of selling it today market what you think ?? Been looking at cats a little I would have to put it up there just as much as a new one I would like it better than any new ones at that size. It’s just so much more thought out than the new ones easy cleaning my wife keeps saying

Onboard Lifestyle The 3rd edition seems to be all that available for sail now.

I removed the Hydraulic steering from the boat for the refit. we will be putting in the same system with all new components soon....stand by!

I tried to track the weight removed by saving my garbage dump weight receipts but that system quickly proved inaccurate. I did take measurements from the bridge deck to the waterline in all four corners and have been watching the waterline closely though.

Waterline affect is a good idea. Thanks.

Onboard Lifestyle Did the previous owner ever have her weighed? Would be interesting to have it done when you haul out.

I kicked around many layout ideas for the cockpit table. I will be honest and let you know that I built that table a half a decade ago and it was one of my first Nida Core projects. I have learned so much since then and plan to "wow" Linh with her dream table one day....stand by for that! I never even considered a macerator for food scraps, I guarantee you that any size food scraps that go down the chute will be 100% appreciated by the recipient...thanks for watching Glen!

www.tapplastics.com/product/fiberglass/carbon_specialty_fabrics/coremat/93

The big picture vision I had the first time I stepped aboard but the small details have certainly evolved.

Your innovation and hard work has paid off!!

Self taught and still learning :)

I use PVC mouldings for my edge profiles, they are inexpensive and available at most big box stores. Just scuff with a low grit sandpaper and use thickened epoxy. The bond between the PVC and NidaCore is very good but will increase in strength with every layer of glass. Build your layers until you reach your desired strength...thanks for watching!

Thank you! I love your show! You are an amazing craftsman. You make everything look so easy. All the best to you and your family.

The engines and saildrives where installed by the previous owner.

We will apply the final Interlux Interdeck polyurethane non-skid finish after we get our deck hardware installed....stand by for that!

I did not want an inswing door , they are much easier to fail from a large wave or a large criminal. The hinge pins on our Diamond SeaGlaze door are are non-removable. A thief is a thief, if they want in, they will get in.

That is indeed true!

Are you talking about just the cockpit or the entire refit of the boat?

I would say the whole boat. And I would not expect exact weights, but most videos give time and cost. And most say weight savings but few give a idea of how much. Thanks for getting back so quick.

We removed around 2300 lbs and added back around 1600 lbs. Overall we did not save that much weight because of the addition of extra batteries, 32,000 btu's of heat /AC, washer dryer, etc. We really paid attention to every aspect of weight savings during the refit knowing that we would be adding weight in other areas. Our goal was to break even or less...not to gain. The waterline in the end did not change much because we have a displacement of 23 GRT.

She is a 1993 Custom 435 Catamaran designed by Jace Hobbs and built by Mastermold Composite Services in Florida. You can see her full specs in the "Sailor's Multihull Guide" 2nd edition pages 254-255

Thanks! Your creativity and building skills are the best on RU-vid. Can't wait to see your adventures. Brian

I have not read one book on the subject...sorry!

Onboard Lifestyle oh than you are very talented with fixing up your boat.

I think our little refit barely qualifies but an interesting thought.

You can apply heat to NidaCore and bend it easily to lay up 3D components with vacuum bags. I used a different material and technique for my radius work called Schlulter Kerdi-Board-V. It is a kerfed high density foam designed for radius applications. Its very easy to work with but takes much more effort to fair and finish. www.schluter.com/schluter-us/en_US/Building-Panels/KERDI-BOARD-Panels/Schluter%C2%AE-KERDI-BOARD-V/p/KERDI_BOARD-V

Onboard Lifestyle it looked like foam in your photos. So basically you just butt the two pieces of nida core and connected the edges using the kerfed foam and laid up 8oz glass over that ?

Exactly, the strength comes with your laminations on both sides. The kerfed foam telegraphs the kerf ridges so I would skim coat a little fairing compound between each layer until the radius is true.

Onboard Lifestyle awesome thanks 👍🏼👍🏼 i want to build a bench / cooler / propane cabinet in my cockpit.

I was researching that Kerdi board some more. Would it be crazy to use the sheets instead of nidacore because nidacore is pretty spendy! Looks like they make several thickness ready for waterproof tile applications. I’m thinking 8oz glass on top of that would make a pretty solid structure.

We used Baltek matting which is now called Core-Mat. You can get it from Tap Plastics or a Fiberglass supply. This stuff is amazingly strong and flexible. www.tapplastics.com/product/fiberglass/carbon_specialty_fabrics/coremat/93

Hey Zuleyka, I miss you too. Keep watching our videos so you can see what I'm up to! - Emma

NIDA-CORE STRUCTURAL HONEYCOMB PANEL - The Nida-Core honeycombs are cellular structures with an 8 mm mesh made of polypropylene, which are used to form the core of structural sandwich panels. Their surface coating (non-woven polyester) can be laminated or glued to practically any type of material, for applications in many domains: construction, transport, yachting, industrial equipment, sports, recreation, etc. Specially made for contact and spray lamination. The polyester non-woven material present on the Nida-Core has a surface that is perfectly suited to impregnation with thermosetting resins (polyester, epoxy, etc.) The heat sealing method used to stick this non-woven material to the cellular structure provides a perfect bond. Finally, the plastic film placed under the non-woven material seals the cells and reduces resin consumption.

A few comments on the steps so far...think about every boat ever made and there is always one or two bunks with lower head clearance. The step is is still 30" above the bed and really not that big of an issue And, if it ever was, all you do is put your pillow at the other end of the bed...thanks for watching!

Onboard Lifestyle I truly admire your design/effort. Just playin in regards to steps hha

If it bothers you, all you do is put the pillows on the opposite end of the bed. All materials we use are marine grade ...even the cushions. They are made with Sunbrella fabric with marine zippers and stitching. We just choose to stow them when it rains because who wants their cushion swimming in water for the long wet Seattle winters