A few months ago I posted about the comprehensive kit being developed for the Didi 40cr2 by Exocetus Marine in UK. They are building a boat at the same time as developing the kit, to check everything for proper fit and assembly. Since my previous post the build has progressed to hull turn-over stage.
See captions under photos for explanations.
Side panel glued to hull framing.
First layer of pre-formed radius skin panels being installed.
This is how the radius skin panels are supplied in the kit, pre-formed in the Exocetus workshop.
Inside view of the radiused portion of the hull.
Second layer of radius fitted. A jigsaw joint on the side panel can also be seen.
Hardwood keel shoe, also cut by CNC. This forms a tough and flat surface onto which the keel root is bolted, removing compressive loads from the softer okoume plywood skin.
The gloss epoxy in this photo shows the fairness of the radius chine plywood hull. In the background is a Dix 470 catamaran that is also available as a kit, being built in the workshop.
High-build epoxy primer.
Outside, ready for hull-turning.
A novel way to turn a hull. I've not seen it done this way before.
The keel shoe is visible in this photo.
Steel frame on which the stern was supported during turn-over.
Turn-over completed.
The kit that Exocetus Marine is developing includes all plywood components plus all solid timber structure, pre-shaped and ready for installation. Their instruction manual is also very detailed, with interactive PDF 3D drawings that allow the builder to view in various formats and to zoom in to see finer detail.
