Paul356

Thanks for the photo, PP. I have yet to test the float, fortunately. I did turtle once. It was very traumatic, and that prompted me to get the float and make a some other improvements and additions (for example, sailing with safety lines rigged ala Howard Rice, barely visible in this photo. As to Nick's question, I notice just a bit of extra weight when raising the mizzen, and can feel the added air pressure if there is a breeze when raising. I don't know how to quantify it. "Half a pound"? It's not a lot, just a hair more than when it wasn't there. I put mine on the mizzen, because if I'd have added the extra shaft to the main mast, the length would have exceeded the specially sewn pocket in my cover. Like someone above, I didn't feel the extra length on the main mast would add that much to the righting moment. Adding the shaft to my mizzen makes both masts the same length. I recommend naming your float. It's good to talk to it sometimes. Mine is "Moby Turtle." It will act as a wind vane in all but very light air, which can be handy. I feel better with it up there. --pb

On those small cups, System 3 sells a small kit that includes a few of those cups for mixing. You pour in, say, 30 ml of resin, then run it up to 45 ml with hardener. It can't be as accurate as a scale, but it seemed to work just fine. It can be used for far less than a "pump" worth, so good for very small jobs.

NC lookin' pretty good right now. Gray, wet and 35 degrees in Milwaukee this a.m.

I can't say I want to challenge Chick on anything, but then again it's warmer in NC than in Wis. I used the hot water method to uncrystallize the stuff, and it was fine, but, man, those pumps just wouldn't clean out. That little ball bearing in there stayed mired in goo, no matter what I tried. Had to get new pumps.

I liked the b&b epoxy and definitely like the "special blend" thickener. I thought the hardner turned solid a little quicker than others (for example no problem with system 3 hardner) so be sure to keep it warm over periods when you're not using it. I noted the same problem with Total Boat. If you have to store it for a few months, be sure to take the pumps out and dry them or they will clog up irreparably. I used west in the past, but the liquids turned color with time and seemed brittle to me when dry. But the west publications on line are free and helpful. The b&b epoxy, in contrast to west, seem "friendly" when solid.

I have varnished over gussets made of epoxy and woodflour, that is gussets made of B&B's special blend. It works very well. The coaming you see here is such an animal. I also used screws through pads to hold down the deck pieces while the epoxy dried, then removed the screws and filled the holes with thickened epoxy, which I sanded flat before recoating and then varnishing the whole thing. That also works well. As you can see, from a few feet away, the whole thing looks like there are no blemishes, and up close, if you take care, it all looks very nice.

Congratulations, PP

You saw that the Mk III in Oriental is now for sale??

Very nice. That's such a cool-looking boat, Todd.

This is a gorgeous boat. And Todd is ecstatic.

You will be missed. Take care.

Things have finally firmed up and I will be making the trek from Milwaukee. I'm planning to arrive Thursday afternoon or evening. I can launch then or Friday a.m., depending what time I arrive and who is around. I will have my tent, but I am planning to sleep on my boat if the weather is ok. Leaving late Sunday or Monday a.m. See you all then.

Yup. Main caught, and it was a problem. Sprits shown in the plans were too short, but make sure your longer ones don't catch. (Good memory, PP!)

Very nice. That's a great picture.

I still use ol' "Moby Turtle," which I got from B&B a few years back. You can just see it at the top of the mizzen in this photo. I know it adds some wind resistance, since I can feel it when I put up the mizzen. It makes a pretty good wind vane, tho. Whatever, it's there to stay. Fortunately I have not had to deploy it in anger. I.e., no capsizes since installed.