Possible Bone Head Maneuver

[Idon84]

I laminated up 20 layers of 1708 Biax to make a 18"x24" piece of 1" thick for backing mounting my thru hulls. Yes I know you can buy the stuff but I wanted to experiment while I had some time and extra materials. When finished I cut out my first part pictured here...



So here is my bone headed question. I have no idea why I cut a triangle out of the stuff instead of a circle. A few days later I was thinking about it, probably more than I should have and came up with this worry. Would the sharp corners of the triangle have any issues with the surrounding laminate once mounted?

Normally I would just toss it out and start new but I don't have to tell any of you how expensive that little piece is. Of course I could cut a circle out of it for one of the smaller thru hulls.

Opinions please & thank you!

[Tim]

I don't like the idea of it as is, but to salvage it, why not just round the corners to match the radius of the seacock flange itself?

[Idon84]

I was thinking of doing that too but wasn't sure if that would help much...

[Hirilondë]

Corners can create pressure points, that is why circles are usually used. I would round them as Tim has suggested.

[Case]

I'm looking at the backing boards... Cut halfway between the end of the backing board and the end of the seacock... then round it smooth. I think that would be fine.

No need to throw away the backing boards, they're lovely. Just too pointy, thats all. Still enough meat left for rounding. Use LOTS of epoxy, make a big smooth radius all around the backing board. That should further reduce the pressure points caused by the corners.

- Case

[Oscar]

I have no idea why I cut a triangle out of the stuff instead of a circle.

Because you can get more triangles than circles out of a piece....... no waste. Round the corners and carry on.

[Idon84]

Thanks for the opinions, kind of what I was figuring. I'll try rounding the corners first. But I don't want to be thinking about it again so I'll probably just use that piece for one of the smaller thru hulls. It's only money right?

[Hirilondë]

You aren't making backing blocks, you are making base blocks. For backing blocks having a larger and rounder piece would be quite significant, but far less so as a base block. Yes, a little larger and rounder would be better, but I don't think it is all that critical. You aren't resisting loads trying to tear your through hull out, just the chance to try to bend it over, lever it if you will. If you were backing up your mooring bit it would be a whole different story.

[Tim]

When in doubt, do it over the way that makes you feel comfortable. But rounded corners would be fine, really. What Dave said.

[Idon84]

Thanks, I'll try it.

[Idon84]

OK sanded and finished. I think I'll use it.

Thanks for the opinions.

[Case]

Looks gorgeous!

Carry on...

- Case