In the Details: How Windows Were Placed During Fiberglass Layup

It's interesting how much window placement changed during the LNVT's production run.  In the saloon for example, the most forward window moved 5" aft (see Saloon Window Spacings Differ--A Lot).  In the pilothouse the windows not only moved they changed in size.  How was this variation handled when there were only one set of molds?  Positioning the windows was accomplished at the time the fiberglass was laid-up.  A board the size of the desired opening was screwed directly to the mold.  The board and its edges were covered in release agent.  The gel coat and fiberglass were sprayed/laid right up to the board, but not over it.  After the fiberglass had dried, but before the layup was popped out of the mold, the window boards were removed.  Using this technique the yard was able to accommodate any size window and any desired placement.

Thanks go to Tommy Chen who explained this to me via Skype on 23 June 2014.