Watch As We Conquer The 863 Stages Of Crafting Our Cockpit Stairs! (MJ Sailing - Ep 326)

Working with foam and fiberglass has so many more steps than plywood and screws. Because of resins and cure times, our new cockpit steps have received 2-3 hours of attention each day for the past week. When we first ordered our 3D module kit from Max Cruise, it came with ALL the foam we would need to build out the interior, including a few very large sheets of foam cored fiberglass to cut into whatever sizes we needed. Those we use to store next to the tent and cut down here and there as we make smaller bulkheads and pieces for furniture. The reason I mention this is we should have had enough foam for all of our projects, yet somewhere along the way, that pile of spare foam kept growing smaller, and not all of it was being used by us. We had no idea where some of that extra foam walked off to, but we weren't left with enough for ourselves, and for projects like building our cockpit steps and doors. Now that we have ourselves set up with a large (flat and level) 4x8 table in the tent though, we've been able to start making our own pieces for these projects. Which means we can finally move forward with the cockpit steps!! Follow along with Matt as he goes through the arduous task of turning our plywood mockup steps into the real thing. First is making the new foam sheets to act as side bulkheads, and then measuring and cutting the steps themselves. Applying them one level at a time to keep everything level, he is then able to attach the side bulkhead (which will be one side of a cockpit locker). Before they can go into place, the backside is glassed together, and after sitting overnight, the front can be done. Then as one solid structure, the entire piece gets bonded into the cockpit and then glassed in. We knew this would be a long task...something that has gotten a few hours of attention each day, and will continue to do so through blending it in to the surrounding areas. But it gets us one steps further in the remaining glass work for this build! In this episode, Matt also gives updates on our new freezer installed under the settee, and we see what Jessica has been working on and why it hasn't deserved much camera time. We hope you enjoy! P.S. If you have spring projects on your own boat and would like 5% off your purchase of Total Boat products, make sure to use our link here! https://www.totalboat.com/MJSailing Much love, Jessica, Matt & Georgie Link to our boat: https://maxcruisemarine.com/ Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible. To join the Patreon ranks, please visit: https://www.patreon.com/mjsailing or Buy us a beer through PayPal! https://www.paypal.me/MJSailing or Help contribute to the build by shopping our Amazon Wish List! https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2B2BOYEH9THAH/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1 Delivery address: Kentmorr Marina 910 Kentmorr Road Stevensville, MD 21666 Thank you!, Matt & Jessica Videos made by Jessica, featuring Matt and Georgie. 00:00 - Transferring our plywood form, to foam core 03:08 - Shaping it one step at a time. Literally. 07:08 - Glassing the structure's back side 08:00 - We added expanding foam to our freezer 12:35 - Extra strength! Glassing the front of the steps 15:30 - What has Jessica been working on? 17:42 - Our cockpit steps get bonded in place!! 19:52 - Closing Music: Broken Clouds - Tellsonic Lets Give a Damn - OTE Middle of Time - Sebastian Winskog Ruins - Origo The River's Gonna Cry When You're Gone - Loving Caliber Pandemonium (Tribute Version) - The Mondays Camera equipment used: - Google Pixel 7 - GoPro Hero 8 - DJI Osmo Action 4 Previous Boats: 1983 Trisalu 37 - custom aluminum, built in Quebec (Elements of Life) Where we've been: 2.5 year refit in Indiantown, Florida; Abacos, Bahamas; St. Barth's; St. Maarten; Antigua; Saba; Azores; Ireland; Scotland; Norway; England 1989 Sabre 34 Targa (Serendipity) Where We Sailed Her: U.S. - Bahamas - Jamaica - Cuba - Cayman Islands - Honduras - Guatemala - Belize - Mexico - Bermuda - Azores - Madeira - Canary Islands - Sint Maarten - BVI's - USVI's Editing software: Adobe Premier Pro Website: http://www.mjsailing.com Facebook: / mattandjessicasailing Instagram: / mattandjessicasailing & / mj_wayfaring