3D printer on a sailboat  

Printing on board

I'm using the eSun filament dryer. Don't have room for a food dehydrator and also uses less power. I just let it run over night and start printing in the morning. So far so good. Have several .04 nozzles and a hardened steel 06. Space limitations being what they are it's hard enough storing a half dozen rolls of filament much less spare components! It has taken over my nav station while sitting here. Under way it will be carefully packed away and placed in a waterproof bag in the vee berth. Surprised at it's stability. Do plan on printing all the spare plastic components and then burying them in a locker just in case.

As for the whole printed prosthetic thing I thought it might be a nice thing but we're quickly seeing it's a huge need here and you really can transform a kids life or even an adult. It's an incredible thing to help with and we hope to get a local group supporting the effort permanently before we leave. That is if the covid borders ever open in the south pacific. We were headed to Vanuatu and the Solomons to do humanitarian volunteer work with people we know there and this will go with us. Covid has seriously altered plans but being cruisers we remain flexible and optimistic.

We are VERY happy with our MK3S+! Went with the fully assembled. I spent many years running, programming, building and repairing CNC equipment. No mysteries there. Being retired I just jumped in to the unbox and print idea. Logistics are rather entertaining here but being patient sailors pays off. This has been much easier then our last Gulf crossing......ugh!

One more item

We also use a food saver and reseal filament in freezer bags and use silica in them if they're going to be stored very long.

works

This works very well.  I have also used it to keep chemicals dry.  

Posted by: @sailoreric

We also use a food saver and reseal filament in freezer bags and use silica in them if they're going to be stored very long.

Printing on board

My printer is on my boat.... and that where I use it (obviously)

Slightly different though, because I am at a mooring on a canal, so no waves to speak of, or spray or any of that sort of stuff, but its been brilliant

What have you printed for your boat?

What have you guys printed for your boat or any of its accessories/appliances?

RE: 3D printer on a sailboat

I have printed quite a few things already.

Some solar panel corner guards so ropes don’t get caught. (ASA)

a hatch hinge piece (carbonfiber polycarbonate)

wall hooks for spear guns.(PLA)

covers for outdoor electronics and speakers(Asa)

dinghy handle replacements(cf-pc)

rachet strap mount for fuel cans(cf-pc)

Jib car bumpers(cf-pc)

Cooking pot handle replacement(cf-pc)

oil header tank mount(nylon) 

Fishing lures(PLA)

shower sprayer holder replacement(cf-pc)

cleat(cf-pc)

pully(cf-pc)

other toys and tools and boat parts I forgot about.

the printer has been good to us. I have to design most boat parts though. 

you asked earlier about where we were sailing and my contact info. Our boat is in Fiji right now and it is beautiful. We are in the states right now though to see family though during cyclone season.

my contact information is  [email protected] and michael_on_rondo for Instagram

Hope printing on your boat goes well, you can ask me anything if you are having trouble with your printer. We now have the i3 printer now because we got I good deal