So the process goes on. As I have said this is not fast, but it does seem to be effective. The work on my part is pretty simple. 1) Cut the kerfs in the area I want to work. 2) Clean the area that the yellow sealing tape is going to to be placed. 3) Put the tape on the hull and make sure it adheres well. 4) Get a rough measurement of the size of the patch being worked and cut film oversized, cut a very small X in the center and install the vacuum port. 5) Set up your breather system and tape it in place. 6) Take the film with the port and stretch it across just one side of your patch and then carefully pull and work the edges into the yellow seal tape. Trying very hard to avoid the film needing a "dart" which is a place where you stick an extra bit of sealing tape to take up extra film. 7) Attach the vacuum line and tighten the clamp dealing with whatever material you are using to protect the vacuum line from extended high heat. 8) Turn on the pump. 9) Light the infrared heater. Or something like all of this. Anyway it is not too difficult. 10) Stay in the area so you can check on everything once in a while and make sure your boat isn't turning into a torch.
Here us a look at a recent round working on the starboard side alongside the aft part of the keel.
Video should be up a viewable about 9:30 PM Pacific
In the three areas I have worked so far I think about 16 oz. of water have been collected. Some of the areas that have been worked did have moisture values that went back up a few days after working them, but they are still below the target level on my meter of 2. The vacuum is effecting an area larger than the patch directly under the vacuum film and the saw kerfs. I will have to watch this effect and decide how to deal with the areas further from the centerline of the hull. It may be that beside working the higher levels I will have to go back and do remediation in some of the lower or first areas I worked. I am resealing the saw kerfs in the worked areas with thickened epoxy and once everything is done I will sort out a plan to rework these saw kerfs with epoxy and glass followed by filler. Finally I will be reglassing the entire bottom of the boat, someday. LIkely going to get to take a pause while I deal with some carpal tunnel repair before getting to do some serious sanding.
Other work is progressing and I will do an update on that in the near future.
