The Back Cove 41 will launch in February 2014. Please follow us throughout the entire build process as the first boat goes from the drawing board to the water.
Here is the hull mold ready to mold the first hull.
The photo above shows the freshly sprayed “Flag Blue” gel coat on the hull mold surface and prior to the fiberglass being applied. Did you know 90% of Back Cove hulls are Flag Blue?
All fiberglass materials, core and stringers are “dry stacked” and ready for VIP (Vacuum Infused Process).
The entire assembly is covered with a plastic sheet and sealed. The next step is to install resin feed (liquid), lines and vacuum system (including perimeter vacuum) per designed layout. The vacuum removes the air and excess resin from the laminates, ensures a proper resin to fiber ratio and makes the part stronger and lighter. The result is remarkable; the VIP process produces significantly less waste and VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds).
Once the stack is fully infused, the resin cures while under the pressure. A typical Back Cove hull takes about three hours to harden.
Back Cove associates generally leave the part in the mold overnight to fully cure. The next day, the associates remove plastic bag, resin supply & vacuum plumbing.
In our next blog, we will show pictures of the new hull being removed from the mold so be sure to sign up to receive regular blog posts!
