PDA

View Full Version : The chopper gun scenario from 1990...and a Walters insight...



oldLenny
06-03-2003, 11:40 PM
Some stuff from Professional Boatbuilder magazine from 1990 in regards to this. They are "not" stupid. And a couple "cut and paste" notes from Walters in the same rag. Enjoy.

http://www.donzi.net/photos/chopper1.jpg
http://www.donzi.net/photos/chopper2.jpg
http://www.donzi.net/photos/chopper3.jpg
http://www.donzi.net/photos/chopper4.jpg

..and a small insight to Walters

http://www.donzi.net/photos/walter10.jpg
http://www.donzi.net/photos/walter2.jpg
http://www.donzi.net/photos/walter3.jpg

For lay-up (skin-out) it is fine, still to this day, but MANY, Eliminator, Cougar, Hustler, HTM, Velocity,Nordic etc still boast about NOT using a chopper gun. It is only for wet out on the first two lay-ups against the gel anyway. ("skin coat") Regardless of who you are, you need to hand lay or vacumm bag your hull. Hand lay is the obvious. What is important is that the skin coat be flawless and void free as the gel has no "backing" if it is not. That is about it. The rest is simply a GOOD lay-up schedule and "kick" it all at once in the same day. Creates BIONIC boats. IMO...Lenny

p.s. Of the shops I have seen, they still take a bubble roller to the blown in chopper mix once they put the gun down. It is no different than a couple of "hand rolled mat" at this point. It is the rest that is important.

MOP
06-04-2003, 06:42 AM
Lenny as usual you do amaze me, I for one really do appreciate your insight when the newer glass gets brought up. My training by the US Gov was back in 57, you make me smile a lot. I have also read several articles on modern chopper technology. There are several very respected builders doing a lot with it. From the little reading I have done and from your input would not be put off by the newer chopper boats. I don think that any of the D boat builders used it, any input on that. By the way you are quite articulate in your public typing! Bring a key board to the podium and just speak the words! Thanks for your time and diligence.

Respectfully

M.O.P.

Dredgeking
06-04-2003, 07:36 AM
i have a powerboat mag from 1970 that test the 18' donzi and the cobalt 16. very similar boats. cobalt is a reputable builder, but what caught me off guard is that the cobalt wasn't built as well as the donzi. i think they used chopped glass for part of the lay up schedule. i'll have to go back and read the article, but i was disappointed that the copy was not as good as the original. but when is it ever? :rolleyes:

Donzigo
06-04-2003, 07:39 AM
Very interesting, I read every word. Good study, even though I didn't understand everything.

So, Miami isn't a good place to build boats ......hmmmmmmmmm!

MOP
06-04-2003, 09:10 AM
Really good post I know I have learned a bit more, another technology I have been following in my trade publications is Plastic boats. It will be a major factor in the future in production of many parts and I am sure a lot of boats. Time marches on, I grew up screwing, clench nailing and riveting planks, garboards, frames etc. Everything decent was wood and bronze fastened and yes I pounded my fair share of cotton. Laughed like hell at glass boats, until I got training in the military on planes and ended up getting into building and fixing boats.