Fixing Our Boat After Our WORST FEAR: An Offshore UFO Collision [Ep. 88]

[@kurtc6372]

Really appreciated Learning how a repair job goes on and fiberglass hull

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Glad you enjoyed Kurt :-)

[@peterknudson9106]

Did you have prior fiberglass experience? You seem so comfortable and knowledgeable, about the repair

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Hi Peter! We do have some experience, but have also been lucky to learn from a great community of sailors over time!

[@grahamatsea3575]

Professionals would learn a lot from the work you've just undertaken, real quality workmanship. Thanks for taking the time in these two episode's to show us how it's all completed, I've learnt a lot, including the different tools you've used. I've notice others have posted about the vacuum process, really neat, I'll keep a look out on your blog .

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks so much Graham, perhaps that is the ultimate compliment of the work. Glad we can share knowledge that has been kindly shared with us! Back to work on the blog now :-)

[@MrBobVick]

Great work Kate filming, & Curtis doing the glassing. Exactly the way I would have "tried to do it" but I rarely get such perfection.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks Bob! :-D

[@engineeringconsulting5534]

Curtis and Kate,
It's nice to see that you completed the hull repair. Thank y'all for sharing.
Cheers!
Blue Skies!
Faithfully,
James

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Hi James! Thanks & Cheers :-)

[@SteelDoesMyWill]

Vac-bagging a wet lay-up will still get you excellent results, you don't have to worry about infusion. I've still gotten 38% resin to fiber ratio which is damn near infusion standards. You can only prove this when you make small components that you can weigh before and after, plus you have to carefully record the weights of all the materials you use. I would recommend using an additional layer or even two of breather cloth, you might have been able to absorb some more excess resin. In any case, your repair is bomb proof.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks for this Luke! We have never weighed our work, that makes a lot of sense! We love learning about composites and would like to build some cool and useful things one day, rather than just do repairs. Also have to give a shout out and huge thanks to all the awesome people that passed these skills on to us!

[@stubby2822]

Interesting and well-done video. The whole repair process looked very labor intensive. The new control center looked great. New sponsorship deal? I hope so because I want to see you all succeed in your journey. You deserve all the help you can get. Yall keep having fun and stay safe. Bill

[@SailingSweetRuca]

We hope you are having a great Sunday Bill! Thanks for the good words. Surfshark reached out to us. We have been using it since Tenerife (almost a year now), it made a lot of sense to endorse it. It really helps to offset some of the unplanned for boat repair expenses and keep us going :-)

[@lindawoodall822]

Great video. I admire your ability to repair the hull damage. I'm curious about the vacuum used to extract the air. Can you give a brief explanation of the materials? Is this a kit that you put together and use a regular wet vac? Or is this a special vacuum that you purchased? Safe travels!

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Seems like a blog post is in order for more detail, stay tuned for that on our website www.sweetruca.com Proper materials make things much easier and a better outcome. The vacuum pump is different than a household shop vac. It needs to be able to run for many hours (up to 24 hrs non-stop) until the epoxy cures. There are some good videos on vacuum bag composite processes online as well.

[@dp5475]

I didn't catch what that copper strip was? Grounding plate?
Great work btw. I had to do a big rudder tube (and rudder) repair to my hunter in the water in my marina. All wet layup, some of it blind reaching behind a bulk head, but man i would've NEVER thought to vacuum mold it, let alone all that core work, and in a foreign country in only a few days. Took me months. I'm impressed.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Wow, sounds like you had a big project also! In the water makes it even tougher! Well done! The vacuum, peel ply, etc. adds complexity, but after some practice actually makes work a little easier and cleaner.
The copper ribbon is likely for lightning protection or SSB, but it is essentially another ground.

[@KevCampbell]

Relocating the Zeus seems like a really worthwhile, if unglamorous, upgrade.
Curtis’ approach to the hull repair strikes me as rock solid and thorough - I’m convinced you were wise to excavate as broadly as you did. Have you done balsa core repair of this nature before? Hopefully you’re pleased with the result, because I think you deserve to be!
I’m curious if you were able to estimate how many hours labor you have in the repairs? I’m trying to guess what it might cost someone less capable of doing the work themselves to pay a yard.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Hi Kevin! Glad you liked the episode. The Zues move was something we wanted to do for a long time, but could never justify the mess of fiberglass. That binnacle area is suprisingly thick solid laminate! We are also working on a plan for better AP control redundancy.
Curtis has had some fiberglass and composite experience. Enough to be dangerous ;-) He has built custom parts for racing jet-skis, repaired motorcycle fairings, rebuilt an old Melges 24, and has had the chance to learn about composites from some of the best in the sailing industry.
Not sure how many hours exactly. A good yard could do this in a few days work only limited by proper paint and epoxy curing time. The hardest part for us was sourcing materials and tools, working with battery powered tools, and dealing with unfamiliar boatyard politics in another language. Not many boatyards would take the extra time to do this repair to this standard though.
Curtis was trained as an insurance adjuster for "specialty vehicles" in his past life, so he knows his way around estimates and project management for these types of things. He didn't make a quote for this though, as sometimes it is better not to see the bill :-) Maybe something to add to the blog post about this?

[@KevCampbell]

@@SailingSweetRuca There's definitely plenty of material for a good blog post here, I look forward to reading more nitty gritty 🙂

[@allmomomosthomebus3895]

Very nicely done.. Meticulous work.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks @AllMoMoMostHome Bus! :-)

[@allmomomosthomebus3895]

@@SailingSweetRuca did you enjoy the fiberglass additive work? Of course only a masochist would enjoy grinding and sanding it.... But I like doing the layup work. It's kind of fun.

[@lovingcars]

Good video.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thank you :-)

[@joeltatham5673]

Brilliant video!

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thank you Joel!

[@robertscranton8293]

Nice work.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks Robert!!!

[@Tomm9y]

Very decent repairs and improvements. Would be interested to hear about the structural aspects of the rudder, particularly the rudder stock which I guess sustained big forces to bend and puncture the hull. How is it that a Brazilian boat yard has such excellent safe steps to access a boat on the hard, yet the US, UK, Canada, EU, etc. use rickety ladders?

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Hi B M! We are working on a blog post that goes into more detail. Maybe a tech tip type video would be a good fit? Funny you noticed the ladder :-) Our ladder was "borrowed" one day when we were up in the boat working, and was replaced with the superyacht steps by some of the boatyard guys :-) Pretty cool!

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks for watching! More details about the repair on our blog here: sweetruca.com/this-is-how-we-repaired-our-fiberglass-boat-what-tools-and-materials-we-used/

[@JasonKechely]

Nice work! I commend you both on not being freaked out over what became a fist sized hole in your boat...cool as cucumbers :)

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks Jason! Haha! 🥒🤣

[@JasonKechely]

@@SailingSweetRuca : I've done a fair bit of epoxy repair/rebuilding on old wooden work boats in the PNW. I was really impressed with your repairs! All the best to you three...(4 if you include the boat!).

[@curtisjazwiecki]

@@JasonKechely Awesome, we love hearing more about boat life everywhere! We would guess those work boats in the PNW would be very challenging repair work! Makes our little ding look like nothing I bet! Cheers :-)

[@floathi]

Your hard work is paying off. Thanks for sharing as always.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks so much @floathi :-)

[@braddobson2060]

Good to see things going well

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thank you Brad! All the best to you :-)

[@Salty80556]

Congratulations! Awesome job. So many details, so much patience! Fine work.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks so much DonP!

[@Nabilasailing]

Great job. Remaining question for me, why did you use balsa again as core? Better material could be foam sheets. They can't suck moisture.
Beside this, you did the best by using a vacuum area to remove all bubbles. Good luck for the rest of the work.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Hi Christian, thanks. We went with balsa to be consistent with the rest of the hull, maintaining as close as possible the original design and construction.

[@stevewakefield5001]

Looks like a great job! Excited to see what's next on your adventure!

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks Steve! Lots of great adventure to come!

[@FernandoOliveira-oy4gy]

Great video and excellent job! Congratulations to y’all. Always awesome to watch y’all’s videos and learn from y’all’s experiences in Brazil. Nice!

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks so much Fernando! More great experiences in Brazil next week :-)

[@robmclaughlin420]

Awesome work on the boat.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks Rob :-)

[@claudiosouza6238]

Aqui no Brasil temos um ditado quando vamos reformar uma casa: "quando começa a mexer numa coisa sempre aparece outra". Penso o quão complexo é fazer esse reparo, principalmente num lugar do barco de difícil acesso e com recursos limitados, mas Curtis fez parecer fácil. Parabéns! Acompanhando a jornada de vocês e desejando muitas descobertas incríveis e bons momentos. O que Kate e Roxy ficaram fazendo enquanto Curtis trabalhava duro? .. Mais videos, por favor!

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Muito obrigado Claudio! Kate esteve lá ajudando alguns dias, mas passou a maior parte do tempo em um AirBNB trabalhando em vídeos. Nós não fomos autorizados a dormir no barco no estaleiro, então Roxy também estava com Kate em um pequeno aluguel em Itajaí, mais sobre nosso tempo em terra no Brasil na próxima semana.

[@rogeriopenna9014]

@@SailingSweetRuca either you guys spent too much time in Brazil or Google Translate is better than I remembered!

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Probably a little bit of both 😄

[@kylejazwiecki714]

Looks like it will be better than new!

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks Kyle!

[@tiochio8476]

Always a pleasure, another nice episode!!👏👏

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks so much Tio!

[@doug1030]

Next time layer the glass patches smallest to largest that way you end up with only one edge of fiberglass.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks @doug1030 some books do support the small to large theory, and in many ways we tend to agree with you, especially if looks are concerned, but the reason we are using large to small lamination is that is what the ABYC and West Systems, as well as those that have mentored us have recommended to increase the mechanical bonding area. If you like this sort of thing here is a good video about it ua-cam.com/video/TeW8fHtzjqY/v-deo.html and if you want to see one of our fiberglassing mentors in action, check out this video ua-cam.com/video/epH6wIEiDQM/v-deo.html @42:34

[@petercaras3696]

Not your first rodeo! How hard was it to free the counterpoise copper so it could get to the Tuner ? Nice repair you guys.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Hi Peter! Thanks! The name for the copper escaped us, thank you for getting it right! It was easy to free, more difficult to re-laminate properly, and reconnecting took some ingenuity after being cut.

[@davidhakes3884]

Vacuum bagging N All, Nice Job Curtis, the Upgrade to Controls was Ace as well. I can tell you a way to cut out 70% of the Glass itch, just need baby powder and a hot shower.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks David! Always want to know ways to cut down the glass itch!!!!

[@davidhakes3884]

@@SailingSweetRuca I especially like this method when it's hot and tight quarters grinding=the worst!!!! what you get is some baby powder, get in hot shower come out towel off fast and then rub powder into your pores pack it in, Arms, Shoulders and Back, then a long sleeved shirt if you want and tape the cuffs, when done for the day jump in Hot shower again and hot as you can it will push out the powder from the morning packing which pushes out fiberglass fibers and them soap down good and ease back to regular temperature, then towel off gently and I find it really helps.

[@kleinbiker1]

What was that random piece of metal strap/sheet looking stuff sticking out of the fiberglass that you seems to embed back into the new fiberglass? Maybe some kind of copper grounding?

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Good eye. It is copper grounding ribbon for the SSB radio.

[@joshthehammerheadshark7350]

3:24

[@SailingSweetRuca]

We dig your screen name!! :-)

[@gregj4857]

Never been a fan of balsa core now even less. Its like putting a sponge in a glass of water

[@brianlintonjones]

Well done, you sure do have some good skills, are you a boat builder or a shipwright.? Superb job, safe sailing..cheers

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks Brian, that is quite the compliment. :-) Cheers!

[@rainfinger]

Great job, looking forward to more sailing. Where is Roxy?

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Roxy is there, just at an Airbnb for the repairs (we weren't allowed to sleep on the boat while on the hard). There is actually a cool "Roxy cam" of the marina when she wore a gopro around, but we couldn't figure out how to fit it in this weeks video :-)

[@taffythegreat1986]

Nice job on that patch. What’s that strip of metal plate for? 👍👍

[@SailingSweetRuca]

It is a copper grounding strip.

[@easternsun167]

Why not foam core instead of balsa ?

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Good question. For us the short response is: it was important to repair the boat to its original design specs. The long is balsa and foam have different properties and advantages/disadvantages. We will try to cover the reasons more in a blog post we are working on. Balsa, when done correctly, is an excellent core material.

[@99Michael]

I still wonder what y'all hit in the middle of the Atlantic? Was it biological a dead whale or submerged shipping containers since so many fall overboard each year from ships?
Thirty years ago, my sailing friend back on Cape Cod swore the conning towers on the navy's submarine striking keels and flipping boats were responsible for sinking sailboats in the open ocean ( * cue the X-Files theme music.) and never reported for a host of reasons.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Hi Michael! We wonder also! We aren't sure we will ever know for sure, but our best guess is it was something big and "soft," like a whale, as there was not scraping or punctures in other areas. A submarine would be quite the story! A submarine popping up close to us out of no where would be quite scary.

[@anoaradura3967]

Parabens,belo trabalho,pelo que vi vc foi eficiente em seu trabalho,foi bem tratado pelos brasileiros, fale bem de nós e nao reclame do plug da marina.abraço.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Muito Obrigado! Nós amamos o Brasil e as pessoas aqui 🇧🇷

[@anoaradura3967]

@@SailingSweetRuca obrigado e bons ventos.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

E voce tambem!

[@anoaradura3967]

Continuarei acompanhando seus videos,obrigado.

[@MD-sj2dn]

Is the balsa wood just used for filler and thermal and sound insulation? Doesn’t seem to be adding any structural component. I obviously no nothing about boat hull design and repair 😂

[@peckerhead5153]

Did you ever figure out what you hit?

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Nope. We can only guess a whale, because there is no sharp edge damage.

[@thomasthornton5737]

😀👍👍❤ very nice work, indeed!

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thank you Thomas! Happy Sunday :-)

[@HopeOfJoe]

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiice work guys ‼️ 👍 Love the autopilot demo. Should come in handy more and more over time; and smart to change position of the Zeus MF display. 😊 ✨🌊💨⛵️🏝👙🌞✨

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks so much Richard!!! 😀😀😀

[@andybiddle4018]

Question, If your boat had not had balsa coring, and had been solid glass viber, would it have leaked?

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thats a great question Andy! Couldn't say for sure. Probably depends on the thickness of the layup, likely there would have still been some damage.

[@arthurrogers2289]

Russian sub

[@SailingSweetRuca]

That would be something!

[@tadbarker7082]

I wonder how the whale 🐳 is feeling now?

[@FinalDestinationDeepspace]

Lol
.you didn't hit a UFO.. lol those fly. It's actually called USO. Ehh potato, PoTaatoo

[@jamiemcneil9462]

Repair looks excellent! Fair winds.

[@SailingSweetRuca]

Thanks Jamie! Same to you!