Are Nortech's vacuum bagged?
 

I just read the review of the 36 cat in an older Poker Runs America (I sometimes get behind in my reading) and it stated that the hull is NOT BAGGED. Is that true? If so, why isn't it bagged? What is the argument for an against?

Thanks.

Nortechs are not bagged.

The agrument against bagging is that one could squeeze/extract the air out unevenly and thus creating thick/thin areas in the hull. Here, there could be enough force to 'push' the resin into areas that you do not want it.

I beleive all Nortechs are hand rolled.

Salesmanship on the board can clarify 100%, but he is tied up (no pun) at the Miami show.

Thanks. I always thought bagging was supposed to evenly distribute the resin and maximize the glass to resin ratio and thus keep weight down while maximizing strength. I'll look for more information from Terry when he isn't at the show.

I wonder if they have any intention of going to epoxy laminates like Platinum, Skater, Outerlimits and some others have used or switched to.

That is correct they are made the "Old Fashion" way.

Great Boat !

Terry, can you add anything? I'm trying to educate myself. Thanks.

Hey Miller,
If you want to squeeze every last bit of resin out, bagging is the way to go. However it can get too dry.
We hand roll every layer and once that layer dries we grind it smooth so that the next layer will be as free from voids a possible. Our methods take longer and yes it will be a little heavier at the end but we have NEVER had a structural failure or delamination. Kind of hard to argue with that. Our glass shop supervisor was in charge of building the NorSafe escape vessels used on offshore platforms and freighters. They have to freefall with a full crew 150' and survive.
Not to say we won't do anything different in the future but for now we like them strong.
Thanks
Terry

Thanks for the information Terry. We hear a lot about bagging used in building some of the 'high-end' boats. We don't often hear why one would not bag.

Re: Are Nortech's vacuum bagged?
 

Terry is this method still being used on the present boats. Just curious, liked the way my last Nortech felt so solid in the rough stuff, and just wondered what the difference was between the 2 lay ups (lighter layup) and approx weight savings on the 4300 and 5000. Thanks Jeff.

Re: Are Nortech's vacuum bagged?
 

yeah,...are you STILL laying them up by hand, or have you gone to vacuum bagging? :(

Re: Are Nortech's vacuum bagged?
 

Bagging is government mandated not boat builder mandated it does not build a better boat do some home work!!!!

So government can tell a boatbuilder how to lay up a boat?? Is that right Terry?

The only way to squeeze out too much resin is to pull too much vaccum. 19-21 inches of vaccum is all thats needed to get out the maximum "excess" resin and have a professionaly finished product. Hustler has been vaccum bagging since the 80's, and many other companies (Outerlimits, Well craft, Activator) have been doing it since the 90's. Don't confuse Heavy with Strong...Strong is keeping the proper resin to cloth ratio, which will produce the most efficient part for its weight.....heavy is just that...HEAVY. All the excess resin does not make a stronger part...just the opposite, it becomes heavy and brittle...ever drop a chunk of resin? it shatters like glass . The important part is that you need trained personnel and the proper equipment to make the product. The old "bucket and roller" way of building boats is still around, but builders who employ that way of manufacture have boats that are consistently 1500-2500 lbs overweight as a result. Sure they ride great in the rough...ever been on a cruise ship?? Same thing. The down side is that it takes a ton of power to get over the 100 mph mark and they burn a ton of fuel trying to do it. A well balanced and constructed boat will do it faster, more fuel efficient, and will ride just as good. Take an Outerlimits 42...rigged with staggered 1075 mercs, will weigh in around 10,500 lbs, and run an easy 120-125...a 43 Nortech with similar rig will weigh 12,500-14,000 lbs and barely break 105. Which would you rather have??
It all boils down to if the Manufacturer is willing to pony-up and purchase the proper equipment and hire the properly trained personnel to build a superior product. Outerlimits did it...theres nothing stopping everyone else!
Oh yes...as for never having a structural failure or de-lamination....what about Ballastic??
Doesn't that one count??

:poopoo:

:food-smiley-007:

How did U get over here from the Freak U Freak!!:lolhit:

Do U have an OL???? Have U ever had an NT???? They may not B the fastest thing around but the overall package is hard 2 beat!!! I had 4 Formula offshores B4 my NT & they where very nice w/ a combination of amenities & performance But my NT up'd the ante!! Me Likey!!! Good luck w/ your choice!:coolcowboy:

I don't have to own an Outerlimits or Nortec to be able to share what I know....and after spending 4 years at Hustler, 12 years at Outerlimits, and another 4 years at Nortech...I'd be willing to bet I know a fair amount more about these boats than you! And I didn't even have to buy one!! Go Figure! :drink:
Oh, by the way....if you have a 2007 43 Nortech...I rigged it. I personally rigged all their 43's and 50's from 2005 to 2009. Enjoy!

SNAKEBITE......I WOULD LIKE TO DRINK A COLD ONE WITH YOU AND HEAR SOME STORIES.....:coolcowboy:

You know I have a "boat load" !!!

Well wrinkleface how does it feel to get the big smackdown? Didn't see it coming did you? :lolhit:

I didn't quit...I was terminated. I can only theorize that Nortech is also feeling the economic crunch, and systematically cut loose all high paid , full time employees who were not deemed "mission essential". They now employ traveling "rigging gypsies" who work out of their vans or trailers, as subcontractors, to rig the boats. The up side is no unemployment insurance, disability insurance, medical or dental insurance, and the rigger is paid a set price for the job....no matter how long it takes . The down side is lack of dedication from the employee...he's just there for the paycheck., even if it takes cutting a few corners here and there.
As for burning bridges...Nortech is not high on my list of places that I would like to work at again. Nuff said.

Well it's your story BUT i can tell you my Nor-Tech was just completed last month and my rigging on the boat is second to none even Peter from skater took a look at the boat at skaterfest and was impressed with the workmanship and that say's alot . During the building process i visited nortech many times and never saw vans and trailers in the parking lot.

No smackdown, I made a simple comment about me like'n my boat! How do ya get a smack from that???? & after C'n an above post this am, the term disgruntled "terminated" employee sets it all straight!!

No smackdown, I made a simple comment about me like'n my boat! How do ya get a smack from that???? & after C'n an above post this am, the term disgruntled "terminated" employee sets it all straight!!

I'm not about to nit-pick with you. You bought your boat so go enjoy it. I know for a fact they employ sub-contractors because I had to oversee one of them during my last weeks there. I believe his name was John, and he also rigged the Statement V-bottom....from the back of his little trailer. The poor guy travels from Bradenton and lives in cheesy motel's while on the road, while trying to scratch out a living.:eek:

Maybe things have changed...I'm outta there 2 yrs now...but I highly doubt it!

I've got no axe to grind...I was just letting you know a few things about the "great deal" you bought. All I added was that I hope you had a proper survey done...for your own safety.
Maybe I've stirred up an "disgruntled boat buyer".

Or just one who likes to see progress and gets frustrated and wants out....
No offence to you but regarding the earlier efforts in Norway and Sweden by the NT guys...well.... no wonder Cigarette sued them and won...

What?

:violent040:

Wow Really?
Apparently things have become so boring around here that now we need to drag out things from the distant past.
He's talking about the mid 1980's before Nor-Tech even existed. Back then it was a common dirty practice within the industry only he was called out. The matter was settled and it never happened again.
I'm sure we could have an interesting thread dedicated to who splashed what back in the good ole days.

Speaking about splashing boats we are splashing the Nor-Tech today and going to PUT N BAY:boat::boat:

True that..
Classic offshore section has a lot of that summed up..especially Brownie is great telling it how it went.. and by whom.

Since when ?
Please provide further info as I'm interested.

Have 1 at the Beer Barrel 4 me! Have not been there in years!! B safe Bubba!!:coolcowboy:

I could use a beer now.
In fact I'm going out on the new 390 later today and plan on doing just that.

Terry, why don't you show the love and take a few of the "riggers" out on the boat and buy them a few chilly ones.:drink::drink::drink:

Only if he can get them out of their vans!!!!!!:party-smiley-004::evilb:

Hope it has the cool lighted cupholders!!!!:coolcowboy:

And tear them away from that awful music.

Which is ?