SV Delos’ Engine Room Transformation with TotalBoat

In the latest installment of their aluminum catamaran build, the crew of SV Delos takes on one of the most critical—yet least glamorous—tasks of any blue water vessel: the engine room. Often tucked away, hot, and cramped, the engine room is the "heart" of the boat, housing the machinery that provides modern cruising conveniences. In Part 52 of their build series, Brian Trautman dives back into this vital space to turn a complex web of brackets and welds into a finished, functional masterpiece using a variety of TotalBoat products.

Creating a "Floor" with TotalBoat Fairing Compound

One of Brian’s cleverest solutions in this episode involves addressing the narrow, individual voids on either side of the keel. Recognizing that these hard-to-reach areas could easily trap oil, dirt, and salt water, Brian decided to "make a floor" by filling these spaces.

He chose TotalBoat Fairing Compound (TotalFair) for the job because it is lightweight, easy to work with, and excellent for filling voids where structural strength isn't the primary requirement. After filling the compartments to just below the keel support, he poured epoxy over the top to create a perfectly level, smooth, and self-leveling surface. This ensures a clean bilge where water can flow toward a single pickup for the bilge pump, rather than sitting in stagnant corners.

Briand from SV Delos mixing up TotalFair

The Power of Prep: Sealing and Priming

Brian is a firm believer that "painting is really all about prep," and that is especially true when working with aluminum. To prepare the engine room for its final finish, Brian used a sealer before priming. This product cleans and conditions the metal, ensuring that the subsequent layers of protection adhere perfectly.

Interestingly, Brian discovered that using a small roller was more efficient than a sprayer for this particular space, as it allowed him to work the edges and reach into every corner between the frames. This meticulous preparation is a step the Delos crew has mastered over the years—from their ambitious haul-out in Mexico to their famous dinghy makeover story with Maggie.

Finishing Strong with Bilge Paint

With the prep work complete and the surfaces etched, Brian applied three coats of primer followed by the final topcoat of bilge paint. Despite a minor mishap involving a drill mixer and some unintended white splatters, the result was a "super clean" engine room that Brian and Kazza are incredibly proud of. This paint provides a tough, chemical-resistant, and scratch-resistant finish that will protect the aluminum from the inevitable dropped tools or spilled fluids that occur during maintenance.

More Than Just an Engine Room

While the finishes were drying, the crew also:

Installed specialized soundproofing insulation from Venus to keep the cabins quiet.
Assembled a "super duper" fuel manifold distribution system that allows the engine to run off or transfer fuel between multiple tanks.
Permanently installed the Nanni N4.80 diesel engine, marking a massive milestone in the project.

TotalBoat is proud to support the SV Delos crew by providing the high-quality resins, paints, and cleaners needed to bring this aluminum catamaran to life. Whether you are building a new catamaran from scratch or giving your own "Maggie" a facelift, we have the tools to help you do it right.

Watch the full transformation on the Sailing SV Delos YouTube channel and stay tuned for more build updates!