Peter Volken Smidt – episode 10 – Electrifying a Contest 30

August 1, 2023
Series

Introduction Robust-MT Marine Technology BV.

He who cannot share cannot multiply! At Robust-MT Marine Technology BV, we believe that success is a combination of factors. Knowledge is just one of them, but it's useless without facilities, resources, capabilities, and so on. For this reason, we will never be complacent about sharing knowledge or providing a platform to someone who deserves it, or when there's useful knowledge to share.

Previous episodes:

1. How it all started

2. Removing the old engine

3. A boat on dry land and removing remaining parts

4. A hole in my hull, what next…

5. Building up in layer thickness

6. Making a foundation

7. Peeling the underwater hull

8. Armor Coat, an everlasting protection

9. The (temporary) installation of the pod motor

Preparing the engine compartment

Diesel engine compartments are often dirty and smeared with oil residue. Or let me just say my engine compartment was dirty and old. While it may have once been a tidy space with soundproofing materials, after more than 40 years, nothing remains. Touching it crumbles the pulverized insulation like dust. If modern, clean peripheral equipment is to be installed here in the future, I think the space needs to be clean and tidy. Furthermore, the battery needs to be installed in the same place as the engine, and that's not possible with the current uneven foundation.

I therefore decided to completely overhaul the engine compartment. I had hardwood wedges cut for the old foundation, and I drilled holes for the engine support bolts to fit perfectly. I treated the wedges with epoxy and secured them to the old foundation. The wedges were aligned in height with the new engine base. The current engine compartment walls were dirty, and holes had been made here and there over time for practical purposes. I finished the walls with waterproof plywood, which I cut precisely to size. Fortunately, most of the surfaces were straight, making it a relatively simple job to create a nice new plywood base.

To finally create a cohesive whole and also to redirect the engine's power back to the old foundation, I decided to coat the new engine compartment with a layer of fiberglass. This wasn't just beneficial for the power, but also meant that if some water did manage to get in, it wouldn't be a problem.

I'll fill in imperfections with epoxy paste, round off the corners, and sand away any minor corrections. Then I'll cover the entire space in two coats with a thick, irregularly patterned fiber that I still have lying around. Despite working in impossible positions, the result looks like a monolithic whole. Now I just need to finish it with a DD varnish. But that will take a while, since the temperature needs to be at least 15 degrees Celsius for that..

About us

Robust-MT Marine Technology BV is located in Monster , on the edge of the water-rich Westland region . Situated in South Holland, between Rotterdam and The Hague, but also near Delft and the North Sea, our showroom and workshop are also located on a main waterway. We also have a mooring on the Haringvliet, near Zeeland, where we can also conduct sea trials. We also collaborate with a renowned yacht builder and shipyard in Woubrugge, near Amsterdam and North Holland. This location also has its own marina, a large crane, and both heated and unheated hangars. In short, no matter how large or small your project, we can provide you with the necessary products and support.

About our products

Looking to buy a new electric motor for your boat or, for example, convert an existing boat to electric propulsion? Our webshop has everything you need to make your project a success. We offer the widest range of electric motors and propulsion systems for recreational boating in the Netherlands, all at the most competitive prices. Our experience with electrifying existing boats sets us apart, guaranteeing that your valuable purchase will be a positive experience. You'll regularly find special offers in webshop , we post our own test reports on our blog , and we also offer complete sets that include a motor, battery, and all additional necessary equipment. Our homepage also features several reviews and ratings from satisfied customers; we'd be happy to add yours.