I hate it...
I hate it...
... when fast epoxy takes forever to cure. That is all.
1976 Chrysler 22 Halve Maen - Sail # 595
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CaptainScott
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EmergencyExit
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http://www.westsystem.com/ss/storage-shelf-life
I know it's expensive stuff, but I always stick (literally) with West System and have had great luck with it. I use epoxy exclusively for below the waterline repairs. Before selling my Widgeon, I had another small repair to make on the bottom. I used some leftover resin and hardener from a previous repair I had done over a year ago. Temps were in the 60's and as stated in the instructions, the (fast) hardener had darkened but worked just fine. The thinner the patches, the longer it takes to set. Epoxy doesn't like air too much, so I always cover patches with visqueen (sets up faster). Also, the stuff is kind of picky about hardener to resin ratios. When I did my first repair (bottom hull crack) on the Widgy, I hand measured using a marked off container. (time consuming and clumsy, for me anyway)
The keel repair on the C-20 was a more complicated procedure, fortunately the sail store owner talked me into plunking an extra $20 for the West System mini pumps. Normally a cheapskate, I kicked myself in the butt on the way home for spending money on the extravagance. Boy, was I wrong! It saved oodles of time and product. I only measured what I could use before the set began and each batch was mixed perfectly!
Well, now I have the '71 DS2. One of the PO's did an amazingly crappy job on a bow patch and two hull patches around the centerboard opening. No glass, just backed the damaged area with CARDBOARD, and smeared on some poly resin, then went through the time and expense of putting gelcoat over the patches to give it that 'professional' look....NOT!.....grrrrrr!! The centerboard hole patches now have cracks and the waterline bow patch popped off last week during my final sail of the season.
I figure my fat A caused the bow to lift up just high enough to keep water from pouring in and me afloat 
Well, the bow patch will be fixed correctly before winter and come spring all others will be redone, THE RIGHT WAY..... and then, I will have totally endeared myself to yet another sailboat.
I know it's expensive stuff, but I always stick (literally) with West System and have had great luck with it. I use epoxy exclusively for below the waterline repairs. Before selling my Widgeon, I had another small repair to make on the bottom. I used some leftover resin and hardener from a previous repair I had done over a year ago. Temps were in the 60's and as stated in the instructions, the (fast) hardener had darkened but worked just fine. The thinner the patches, the longer it takes to set. Epoxy doesn't like air too much, so I always cover patches with visqueen (sets up faster). Also, the stuff is kind of picky about hardener to resin ratios. When I did my first repair (bottom hull crack) on the Widgy, I hand measured using a marked off container. (time consuming and clumsy, for me anyway)
The keel repair on the C-20 was a more complicated procedure, fortunately the sail store owner talked me into plunking an extra $20 for the West System mini pumps. Normally a cheapskate, I kicked myself in the butt on the way home for spending money on the extravagance. Boy, was I wrong! It saved oodles of time and product. I only measured what I could use before the set began and each batch was mixed perfectly!
Well, now I have the '71 DS2. One of the PO's did an amazingly crappy job on a bow patch and two hull patches around the centerboard opening. No glass, just backed the damaged area with CARDBOARD, and smeared on some poly resin, then went through the time and expense of putting gelcoat over the patches to give it that 'professional' look....NOT!.....grrrrrr!! The centerboard hole patches now have cracks and the waterline bow patch popped off last week during my final sail of the season.
I figure my fat A caused the bow to lift up just high enough to keep water from pouring in and me afloat Well, the bow patch will be fixed correctly before winter and come spring all others will be redone, THE RIGHT WAY..... and then, I will have totally endeared myself to yet another sailboat.
Bruce
Chry Wndw Shopping/'69 Newport H-20
Poupon Me!
Ray Twp., MI
Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65343255@N06/
Vids: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60647F9C03EAE28A
I want a boat that drinks 6, eats 4, and sleeps 2.
- Earnest K. Gann
Chry Wndw Shopping/'69 Newport H-20
Poupon Me!
Ray Twp., MI
Pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65343255@N06/
Vids: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL60647F9C03EAE28A
I want a boat that drinks 6, eats 4, and sleeps 2.
- Earnest K. Gann
