43ft Sportfish Structural Grid

To facilitate assembly in a high-production environment, this design incorporates a fully-molded glue-in structural grid. This allows precise fitment of bulkheads, tanks and machinery as-well-as saves considerable weight over built-in-place internal structural.

The mating surface of the grid is offset from the hull exterior according to laminant thickness. A small pay-off was incorporated which is bridged by the adhesive. The actual adhesive bond is stronger than that of the laminate, assuring a stiff, lightweight monocoque.

To make the five-axis routing of the grid plug easier, several modules were cut and then precisely aligned with laser accuracy for construction of the female mold.

In the finished mold not all the grid openings are cut away. This makes the mold more stable and easier to laminate. Once the part has cured the excess laminate beyond the width of the flange is simply routed out.

For more about the design and construction of the hull mold on this project click here. ↑Top