Peter Volken Smidt – episode 7 – Electrifying a Contest 30

May 30, 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

peeling the underwater hull

Work is starting to run in parallel, and the weather, and especially the temperature, is starting to affect the schedule. Although I'm using the so-called "winter epoxy," which is still workable down to 5 degrees Celsius, this is starting to become an issue with the approaching winter temperatures.

The engine compartment is now empty; the new battery needs to be installed horizontally on the old foundation. Using hardwood, I'm making two tapered wedges so I can build a horizontal wooden floor on them. And while I'm at it, I also decide to carpentry the rest of the engine compartment and finally waterproof it with fiberglass. The carpentry has already started; the epoxy will have to wait due to the low temperatures.

And of course, it's not even March yet, but I do feel the pressure to finish the underwater hull as much as possible now that the weather is nice and dry.

And that's not going very well. The antifouling sanding is going slowly and has caused me to cough and watery eyes.

This will cost me a few years of my life, so I hatch a plan B and decide to attack the antifouling with a chemical stripper. If I'm to believe all the information online, this should help like a pair of invisible hands.

I bought 2.5 liters of antifouling remover from Starbite, which should be enough to remove about 16 m2 of antifouling.

Between applying and scraping, the product needs a few hours to penetrate the deeper layers. The major advantage is that the polyester is not damaged.

Even below freezing, the stuff works. And how! I apply it to a generous portion of the hull and then easily scrape off the gooey substance with a putty knife. Layer thickness matters, because where I apply less, scraping immediately feels a bit more difficult.

After an hour of vigorous scraping, I achieve a result that would normally take me a few hours of sanding.

With combined efforts, I treat the rest of the hull and it is now almost ready for the first layers of armor coating, a two-component epoxy that should protect the underwater hull against osmosis.

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.