With all of the V-berth bed foundation plywood panels cut and fitted, next I edge sealed them, insulated the undersides, installed, and then coated the top with white-tinted epoxy.
Cutting the R3 Buffalo Batt non-woven insulation
As I’ve said before, insulating the backside of each panel that faces the hull envelop adds a lot of time to the process, but I think in the end it will be worth it.
Port panel insulation is cut and ready for epoxy
Starboard panel insulation is cut
Might as well insulate the mahogany cabinet panel at the same time
The transformer hatch
Insulation pressed onto the epoxy-coated plywood
Saturate with epoxy, lay out the insulation, press any edges that lift off the epoxy, and go home
It was well over 100°F in the tent by the time I was done. The epoxy kicks fast! But it’s a horrible environment to work in.
Next day…ready to install
First, clamp, glue (epoxy), and screw the mahogany cabinet panel in place
Next, glue and screw all of the bed foundation panels in place
Done!
The white-tinted epoxy is somewhat translucent, so colors from the wood surface come through. But overall I like the look. The most important thing is that, being fully encapsulated in epoxy, it binds and seals all of the veneer fibers while providing a durable finish that will preserve and protect the panels for as long as I have the boat…and beyond.
Next up in our 1969 Chris Craft Roamer 46 Refit: The V-berth Closet
1969chriscraftroamer46 