Scarab 18 folding trimaran Part 14

The mainhull and floats are ready to paint. There are as many different methods of paint preparation as there are builders. I will describe the method I use.

Because the boat is built with flat panels it is very easy to finish. I used peel ply when the panels were made so they are smooth and require little sanding. Filler is applied in a thin even coat (I use Q cells and polyester resin mixed to a peanut butter consistency). Polyester resin is painted over a small area and while still wet the bog is smoothed on with a metal drywall (gyrock) spreader. Metal is easy to clean and does not react with the resin and you can buy them wide enouth to cover the tape and panels in one go. I found that polyester does not like high humidity and will remain sticky for a long time if applied in the rain. This doesn't happen so much with epoxy. Why builders would use epoxy on a small foam boat at 3 times the cost and the related health hazards is beyond me?

If you are using plywood then the above method works well with epoxy resin.

I sand the panels with a 6" random orbital sander and 40 grit paper.

Scarab 18 folding trimaran Part 13

The edges of the transom were taped. Wooden support for outboard motor glued into the transom. Plywood inside anchor locker to support fore stay attachment. All joints inside cabin taped. Everything sanded ready for filler.

Total time 470 hours.

The boat is all ready to prepare for painting.

The 470 hours does not include building the frames (which I built for the last boat) and the centreboard and rudder blades which were already built). Filling, sanding and painting times depend on the required finish. Some builders like to finish the inside and paint, some just want to get into the water as quickly as possible. I will post pictures as the boat is finished and painted but there will be no more times posted.

The assembly (joining the floats and the beams to the mainhull) also takes some time. I will post pictures as we go.