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How to get cutwaters made
Hi All,
Has anyone tried to make their own brass cut water ?
If so what materials and tools are needed ?
or is this something you’re better off hiring a welder to do ?
Thank you.
This is a great question, I have made these in several different ways and struggled with all of them but then I'm not a metal worker! Here are the methods I have tried:
Brazed brass cutwater
If doing a sharp pointed cutwater it will need to be brazed or welded, this was the first one I attempted to make for Miss Isle. The brass plates are easily shaped using wood working tools which makes it simple. The brazing will need to be done with an oxy-acetyline torch as the large parts of brass will suck up heat rapidly, a conventional propane torch won't get this hot enough.
This needs to be regularly returned to the boat to monitor movement and ensure it is fitting properly everywhere. Even small movements in position can amplify greatly throughout the part, particularly if you stem curves a lot. For example, as the "wings" of the cutwater spread out, the lower tip will raise significantly. Also the other way round, as I tighten the screws on my cutwater the lower end drops down away from the hull. This part caught me out a few times when I thought I had it fitting right.
Screwed brass cutwater
This was my version 2 cutwater done the way that Riva do them. It consists of a keel band down the centre line of the stem and two plates either side. The upside to this is that there is no brazing needed and as parts are separate, in the event of damage, just a single component can be repaired or replaced. It is significantly easier to shape and fettle in comparison and being individual parts you can make tweaks and alter things as you fit them. The downside is probably the amount of additional screws required into your stem, just make sure they are sufficiently sealed, ideally epoxy potted!
Welded stainless cutwater
This was my version 3, I got a fabricator to TIG weld it for me, much as with the brazed brass one, this needs regular re fitting to the boat to check for distortion. This is the hardest wearing of all 3 for sure but also the toughest to manipulate if things don't fit right. Mine is still a little low at the bottom and good fitment is a balance of tightening the screws in sequence and living with some gapping all over.
All in all, a tricky part to make, probably a breeze for a good fabricator but they will need the boat for regular checks of fitment. Also, have this done before you have done final varnish! Don't go too thin with sheet gauge as the cutwater will crinkle when tightened. Hope that helps give some insight, I'll add some pictures below of my various versions.
Cheers
Dan
Brazed brass version 1
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Screwed brass version 2
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Welded stainless version 3
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