Fiberglassing Completed

With the sounds of the Hallelujah Chorus still echoing in my ears, Im happy to say that fiberglassing work on the Utility hull is finally completed. Ive added a second layer of epoxy to the whole thing, and the next step will be to sand it down smooth in preparation for painting. Until then, at least, its nice and shiny.

The Next Problem?
For planing boats, the bottom of the hull is supposed to be flat along the aft 1/3 of its length. If its not flat, the boat will likely tend to porpoise (bounce up and down at the bow) at higher speeds.

For an 11-foot boat, 1/3 the length would be 3.67 feet. Checking the bottom of my boat with a 48" level, Ive found that the aft 36 inches is fairly flat. However, in the aft 48 inches, there is a noticeable hook that is about 1/16" in depth. So the unanswered question is, "will it porpoise?" Since the bottom of the hull is not as long the top, and the final 36 inches is flat... perhaps itll be okay. Perhaps not. Only time will tell.

Even though I dont know for certain just yet, Im tempted to go ahead and add a wedge to the bottom of the hull while its still upside-down and easily accessible. Ill think about it.

The gap between the hull and the level shows a hook of approximately 1/16" depth.

Progress on the Zip
Ive got the transom knee for the Zip built. While the plans call for a 1-1/2" wide knee (two 3/4" plywood parts laminated together), Ive added additional 1/4" pieces on either side to widen the knee to 2 inches. It should be plenty strong. 

Transom knee for the Zip.

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