Given Glyn and Ben are Project Managing and Team Leading, respectively, the simultaneous build of two very different Catalysts, they have been making excellent progress.
In the last newsletter, we left B73 having just had her hull turned over with bulkhead and systems fit-out underway. Well, a lot has happened since then and as the saying goes, a picture paints a thousand words – so here are a few pictures rather than a few thousand words.
Bulkheads, fuel tanks and wiring conduits for electronics being installed, with Ben inspecting progress.
1/18
Cockpit sole glue down.
2/18
First half of the cabin arch being infused – the mould is only half the arch as both sides are the same.
3/18
Cabin arch completed and ready for fitting.
4/18
Custom cabin top mould prepped and ready for the laminate to be laid and infused.
5/18
Custom cabin coamings and window frames. The foam core is cut to fit the moulds that create the flanges in which the window glass will sit.
6/18
Lower section of the cabin superstructure fitted.
7/18
Locating the rubbing strip foundation so the attachment bolt holes can be drilled – this is then removed and stored until the painting is complete and final assembly can commence.
8/18
Port foredeck steps installed.
9/18
Craig commencing assembly of the upper cabin superstructure, starting with the side coamings.
10/18
Motors!!!!
11/18
Test fitting the motors… a very exciting stage of the build.
12/18
Finalising the design of the cockpit seating.
13/18
Taki fairing and checking for accuracy.
14/18
Windscreen corner mullion split mould
15/18
Bow beach-landing stairs ready for test fitting.
16/18
Cutout in bow to house beach-landing stairs. The rectangle recesses either side are the housings for the headlights.
17/18
The final form takes shape. The cabin top superstructure is fitted and fairing is underway.
18/18
The new GT superstructure really does illustrate how versatile the Catalyst platform is; she has already stimulated enquiries from potential clients. The team is cracking on and we are scheduled for launch in a few months.