Adam F

As much as I disapprove, this isn't illegal? Would it be any different if it was 50 flatfish / cod carcasses? It seems a commercial fisherman has landed a catch of smoothound, headed and gutted them and dumped the rest... Ok so maybe he should have binned them and not dumped it, but smoothounds aren't illegal to catch and sell if you're a commercial are they?

Home from 2 days working up North this evening and couldn't resist having a poke around the mould.... Got a bit carried away, but she popped out easily! Just as I had planned / designed it. I'll check the fit tomorrow and then trim it to size and flow coat the underneath, and gel / grit the top. All it needs then is a few bolts and attention turned to the stainless boarding ladder which will also act as support. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

How far is it by sea to where the blues live?

Finished this evening with last 2 layers. That was more work than I remembered! 114 separate pieces of glass to be laminated... 8 layers deep, and 5kg of resin. It can now cure through well for a week or so whilst I get on with other jobs before I pop it out of the mould, trim it to size and flow coat the underside. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pretty much. I still have a few more layers to do, and then it will get flow coated in grey to give a water tight finish. Last couple of layers go on tonight.

Well done Sam, the effort involved shouldn't be under estimated. Reub only has a passing interest at the moment, but I'll do all I can to get him out and support the day.

If you look you'll see the supports holding the transom section in place. I've made these removable to aid releasing it. But you're right... It's always the most nervey bit!

Yes, what's the dates?

A bit more progress today. Total lay up will be 3 layers of mat, followed by the foam core, and then 7 layers on top of that. After starting the first layers in the week I had to wait for new rollers to arrive as I'd run out. Today I have managed to put on 4 layers inc the core. So a few more layers on Sun and then the lay up will be complete. I'd forgotten how labour intensive this is, making the mould to completing the lay up! Still it's the only way to get a quality finish. I'll then leave it a few days to really cure well, before attempting to pop it from the mould later in the week. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Yes that's JV out too. Never known a year like it for windy conditions on the neap tides. I won't be bothering with Alderney agin this year and will turn attentions to other stuff, shame but what can you do. That ramps the pressure up to make sure she is ready again for next May after the rebuild!

Once the gel is on you can start to apply the fibreglass and resin. At this stage it's worth pointing out that getting organised beforehand saves a huge amount of hassle once you start this job! Trying to cut glass and pick things up once you have gloves covered in resin isn't the best idea! A tip I picked up from Pete is to mount the roll of glass on a pole it makes it easier to dispense the roll and manage cutting. So you want to cut all the pieces you need before you start. I try not to make them too big so they are manageable. The basic tools and process here is as follows. Fluffy mini roller, cheap 2" brush, disposable tub, sheet of MDF / ply for wetting out the mat. Polyester resin and 300gm chopped strand mat (CSM) So mix up the resin. Decent coat into the mould to act as a 'glue' for the sheet of glass. Pop your glass on the wetting table and give it a decent coat of resin. Pop it into the mould, roller it flat, saturate with resin and consolidate. That's the short version. In practise for anyone wanting to try this, it's easier to be shown / talked through. Once the resin has saturated the mat the emulsion holding the fibres together release and the whole lot becomes 3 dimensional... It's fantastic stuff! The aim is to get a smooth finish without any air bubbles. The final pic shows the first layer in place, and I'm done for tonight! I'll get another layer on tomorrow and then the foam core to add strength. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Next its time to start laying up the mould. The first two coats are gel coat catalysed at 2% by volume. It's key not to mix up too much especially in warm temperatures as the mix will 'kick' faster. I've been doing a pint at a time, with 8ml of catalyst and that's been giving around 10-15 mins work time. Once the resin or gel starts to kick its useless and you need to clean down and mix another batch. Anyway, so mix the gel, get this first two layers on with a brush, this gives a nice thick coat. Take care to get it on evenly and not to be light anywhere. Remember this is the final finish that you're applying and will determine the finish of the mould. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Ok, for those of you who wanted to see how to laminate fibreglass: You've seen the mould and the details around that so here's the next few steps. This next pic shows the fillets in place all around and the next step which is starting to wax the mould. The wax is basically a contaminative layer between the MDF and the gel coat. Without it the lay up wouldn't release from the mould. I went for 5 coats of wax, polished up once dry to give a nice sheen and a good protective layer. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

So is it a species hunt or a flatfish comp on the 20th? And what format will the 48hr follow?

Clearly it's a 2 day comp where you try to catch the best specimen of the flatfish species? We know they are trying to mix the format up to attract new people! :-)

So is the 48hr comp now a species comp? Looks that way from the post above?

Looking crap again now anyway. I think that's me done trying for Alderney this year.

Steve must have been dancing / chanting overnight - now looking ideal! Lets hope it holds.... So Charlie are you saying you are coming or not?

Looks bloody terrible :-( I know we have a week to go but it isn't looking too good.... To be honest I'm loosing the momentum a but now this later in the summer for Alderney, not sure if I can summon the effort for a take 5. Might just look at Cherbourg for an over night and forget the islands until 2015. Steve - clearly you've not been chanting / dancing?

Picked up all the fibreglass kit yesterday from a mate who works for a company who build Super Yacht tenders... All a bit posh for a fishing boat! Will have the mould finished this weekend. Once I had got the template perfect, next job was to create the sides. I'm using MDF for this one, not the best material but it's cheap and easy and this is a one use only mould. It has a reasonable finish but will need a bit of polishing when it comes out to get it perfect. Base is made from 18mm to give rigidity, the sides have a curved form and have been made from 6mm, and I steamed the corners to get the curve. Always need to bear in mind that when making a mould you are working up side down, back to front, so measure twice cut once is the rule to avoid mistakes. Once the mould is done, the corners need to be filleted to give a smooth curve. I've used flexible filler for this applied with a gun and then use a 1/4 filleting tool (ball on a stick) to give a regular finish. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Just in case you don't have a subscription to World Sea Fishing & Agriculture.... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Didn't know we had a blog section! I'm picking up the rest of the materials tomorrow so I'll try and do a bit of detailed info on making and prepping a mould and laying it up.

It's also easier as I need to use tapatalk as all my pics are in the iPhone.

Inspiration for the platform design from this one: Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I'll cover off as much as I can rob, but no problem in showing the mould build, prep and glasing I'm no expert but I'm getting better! Martin - I did the one on JV like that but Ive so much space on the new boat all I really need is a small plinth - plus Ive seen one of Breaksea's boats with this small one that looks ace.