Blueprinting the bottom
 

Does anyone know if there is a glass shop in New Jersey that blueprints bottoms?

It's a few hours away, but I've heard Lilly Sportboats in Annapolis, MD area does them.

http://lillysportboats.com/

We do glass work & can do the blue printing.. We are not in Nj though.. We are in North East PA.. Feel free to call me if you need me.. :)

Jamie / Lakeside Restorations 570-639-2628

Will somebody please explain what all is involved with the blueprinting? I've read a little here and there, but never had the full scope.

basically, if possible de-rig the boat and flip it over to have easier access to the running surface. From there you need to determine the extant of how far you want to blueprint. It can be as minor as removing a small hook or rocker from the rear of the running surface or as involved as a total detail of the entire bottom. Sharpen ant true all edges and surfaces. The process is, to put it in it simplest terms, to sand down high spots and fill in low spots to work the surface true. My personal feeling is that the boat needs to be flipped to get the best results and it can be a pretty involved process.


This little Ciggy had a ton of paint on it that needed to be striped off before anything could be done. Stripped it chemically (because i had a ton of sanding anyway) and than started the fairing process by blocking the entire surface with 80 grit on a board file. Used the short one because this boat was relatively straight to begin with and mostly needed the keel trued and all the dings removed.

The brownish stuff is West Systems 407 and the blue stuff is 3M's vinylester fairing filler (great for the fine stuff) all finished to about 150 or 180 grit.

I spray gel mixed with about 30-40% Duratech gloss additive and just a touch of surfacing wax. After this cures is where the fun begins (and the bulk of the labor).

sand . . . .sand . . . . and when you think your just about done . . . . your about half way there :D. but the work pays off in a very durable and very good looking surface.

Heres a pic of some guys Cigarette reflected in the bottom some other dudes Cigarette :cool-smiley-011:

Looks great Dave! My Top Gun is headed for the same treatment in a few weeks. Hope it looks just as good!

Kurt

Thats one way.

Lilly's number is 410 384 1666