Home Forums Reply To: GP14 Slot Gasket Fitting

#21602
Windychippy
Participant

Here is the finished slot gasket for those interested.

The “Y” fairings were glued and fitted to and then painted along with the dinghy.(Another story) The sailcloth gaskets were then laid out and stretched on the bench with the keel bands placed over and hole positions marked. (Thanks to Steve for the stretching tip, shock cord was used.) A neighbour loaned me a hole punch that was duly used to good effect.  Front end of gaskets were cut to shape to fit inside the front “Y” and a shaped aluminium plate was fixed on top. The gaskets were then stretched so that the prepunched holes matched up with side keel bands which were then screwed down. Making sure the overlap was approx4/5mm. From previous experience with stainless steel screws I only used a light torque setting on the screwdriver as s/steel screw heads tend to shear off easier than on standard or hardened screws especially as only 3.5mm.  Any protruding sailcloth was then removed using a newly acquired scalpel (Also ideal for removing splinter from fingers. IMO)  I decided to trim the rear end of the gasket to leave a small area of uncovered slot as I read on another site this can aid drainage of slot.  Being totally new to GP14 and having never seen another GP14 dinghy for comparison you will hopefully forgive me if I do things which are untraditional.  This particular build is based solely on a racing dinghy, if it was for more general / cruising use then I see great merit for using more abrasive resistant material along the keel and I think even the bilge keels (Or do you already?) Now ready to turn her over and coat the topsides.

Thanks      Windychippy