MacGregorSailors.com

Preface
What the hull is this "Inqism-02" stuff? Well... I'm glad you asked. I like projects... I may like them more than sailing. Only because I can't sail where I live and driving six hours to get some real sailing just frustrates me. JimmyT's great Galley Mod got me started and with his encouragement, I've started putting out my projects. I've decided to give them a common tread if for no other reason, it helps me find them in the future.

I have a Mac M. I like it... a lot. I also like a lot of the features of the X. Most of my projects will be about merging the two and adding some of my own... thus the MX designation. Its not rocket science. Some won't be your cup of tea... maybe many. I retro fitted the title of my elliptical daggerboard project. It is now MX-1. This is the second project. I have fourteen (so far) on my list. Some are small some are very large projects. Many may never happen. I should live so long. Got to get some sailing in somewhere.

I've not finished MX-1. Watching epoxy cure has lost its allure. Its not much better than watching golf or grass grow. It is starting to get cold here. With my southern raised blood, anything below 60F and its time to be watching football or being inside. I decided between epoxy applications, I needed an indoor project and not having a JimmyT level workshop they have to be relatively small. Yes! I'm green with envy.

Inqism-02
My forward hatch has a flaw. I think the tech must have been a new hire or a Monday. Has huge glob that cracked between California and picking it up in winter Wisconsin. Just now getting around to grinding it down and and sure enough, it must have had a half inch of filler and about 30% was never bounded to the balsa core. My glassing skills being such as they are (pitiful) I was concerned about SEEING every flaw.

The Admiral is a fan of the tin-ceiling thing. Unfortunately, being so small an area, trimming and trying to make that work looked like a CF waiting to happen....

...And I thought, heck... I can 3D print something. And it then I thought why waste it on some old tin looking ceiling tile... let's do a nautical theme. I can CAD up a compass rose... they're simple geometric designs. I did a Google search and for image ideas and one really caught my attention a painting with an octopus around the rose like might be found on a Hollywood, pirate's treasure map. A simple search on Thingiverse.com and I found the perfect Octopus to integrate into my rose. What d'ya think?
I've started the printing... should take about a day or two.

That looks way cool! Can't wait to see the end result!

U shoulda just cut it out ! Then u can stare at the stars at night



I also put one in the sliding hatch




Great on those cold wet dark days they allow lots of light to enter the boat along with my extra 4 opening portlights
17 windows in all
J

Well I like that a lot better. Which make and model did you use on the front?

Edit: I didn't zoom in before... I thought it replaced the whole hatch. So I can use any size that fits within the Mac hatch???

Besides, this was just a fluff, time-waster, indoor project. I'm not sure how I'm going to get my outdoor projects done. I'm doing them out in the yard after the sun warms enough to cure epoxy 55F+ which is about 1pm. This retirement down-sizing is really cramping my project ability.

This was a fluff project, to kill some Covid shut-in time. However, it did give me a chance to try some color changes. I liked JimmyT's Galley Mod's color scheme being lighter. With all the wood that will eventually be in my Mac, I was concerned it would be too dark if I continue to use the dark Rosewood of the vinyl covered plywood. Thus, I'm trying a lighter Redwood stain and then coating with Polyurethane.


The 3D printed Compass Rose is painted using a heavy coat of Rust-Oleum "Hammered " spray-paint in Copper. I love this stuff, it covers a multitude of sins and actually looks like it was hammered at the forge. In this case it totally covers the layers of the 3D printing process. This, is then covered with a very light spraying of Rust-Oleum "Hammered" spray-paint in Bronze. I find the Bronze is too monotone and too brown. I prefer the partially aged look with copper highlights.

Anyway, here is the final results.

As a woodworker, I am impressed.


At times, a 3D printer does offer advantages.

Well Done Captain.

NiceAft wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:30 am As a woodworker, I am impressed.

Thank you for your kind words. I haven't done that much woodworking... at least trying to be furniture grade.

I like Polyurethane. I like the "settling" ability of the oil-based ones but for some things, I don't like the yellowing. This water based one, I used on some oak hardwood floors and was pleasantly surprised that it held up well AND didn't yellow. Unfortunately, it dries so fast, it doesn't seem to settle very well. I'm going to look into spraying it for the rest of my MX projects. I have a compressor / H.F. car spray gun. Any advice?

Beautiful job!

Gah and I though the underside of my hatch was bad. Imagine in some other universe where Roger took just a *bit* more concern with the details of these boats. And use better gel coat.

Ix

Ixneigh wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:49 am Gah and I though the underside of my hatch was bad.

I hope you're talking about the "before" pictures.

I thought I mentioned it above. I ground the stock inner layers down to the balsa core (where delaminated). I added several layers of heavy fiberglass / epoxy, put the wood panel on and weighted it with about a hundred pounds worth miscellaneous weights.

Inquisitor wrote:

H.F. car spray gun. Any advice?

Kevin is the expert in that category. If he chimes in, pay attention.

NiceAft wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:59 am Inquisitor wrote:

H.F. car spray gun. Any advice?

Kevin is the expert in that category. If he chimes in, pay attention.

Well, I’m certainly flattered but I’m not sure what sort of advice you’re looking for. Is it about the spraying process or the materials (urethanes, thinners, etc.) or ??

kmclemore wrote: ↑Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:53 am Well, I’m certainly flattered but I’m not sure what sort of advice you’re looking for. Is it about the spraying process or the materials (urethanes, thinners, etc.) or ??

Thank you Kevin.
Having never sprayed polyurethane,

1. Is it safe? - I've read paint like aircraft Imron will flat kill you without the right air gear.
2. I'm not looking for selling quality furniture grade results... just better than what I see with brushing.
3. The can recommended and I used 4 coats on this project, but the more it built-up the more wavy and brush strokes are visible.
4. Like I mentioned above, I prefer the non-yellowing of this specific product. All others I've tried - polys, lacquers, spar, varnish... etc seem to yellow and seriously change over time. This one on oak flooring never yellowed. I could put a piece of the raw wood next to it and can't tell a color difference.
5. Does spraying take a long learning curve before a Noob can get better than brushing results?
6. Since its a water based Poly, I'm assuming I just thin it with water??? How do I tell how much? - Trial and Error?
7. I got this on sale... well... because it was on-sale $9.95 and some day, I might use it. I wouldn't use it on my own car, but for a wood project, I'm game.