Charlie Jones

A huge second on ordering epoxy from B and B.. Great folks to deal with.

Plus one. Even with two power jointers in the shop, I most times get my Bailey #7 to edge glue two boards. Just about as fast overall and on occasion, a far better joint. Many of my favorite tools are older hand tools. This was my planes several years ago. I've since added a few, including a vintage Stanley #45. Works VERY well for cutting gains on lapstrakes.

I've built two of his designs. One was a VERY early boat called a Mediterranean Caique back in the very early 70's. I was told by Mike that I was one of the earliest builders of a Stevenson boat. The plans were in Boating magazine, and I still have the issue. Double ender, lateen sail.

Passed yesterday, at age 67 http://www.westsystem.com/ss/jan-c-gougeon/

Just was reading this and wanted to interject as a long time wood worker- The "case hardening" that is referred to is for material that has been planed, then stored for a while, as in lumber yard stuff. Exposure to air for a period of time is what does it. Freshly planed wood is NOT casehardened- hasn't had time to do so. That's one method of getting RID of any case hardening. Also- I've built many boats and masts, rudders, dagger boards, etc, including all stringers on a 35 foot trimaran, using Doug Fir- good stuff, but pick the wood so it's clear.

Pretty much what I do too. The pastry bag, or using a baggie, just takes too much time and mess. Ususally I can have 10 or 15 feet of fillet done in the time it takes to fill the bag

LOL Gordy-me too

Yes-a battery jump starter. And no- this was while building the Princess 22 and I hadn't discovered the Jump-it yet

Or heat the screw with a soldering gun. I too broke a bunch before I learned.

And a third bulder concurs- epoxy the hole withn neat. and set the screw.

Hey Par- ya figure this is regular, or lo salt Spam?

Designed to bend off- a wooden top bends more easily than an aluminum, plus far simpler to taper- go birds mouth by the way. Oh and I'm gonna have to build new masts for Traveler, my trimaran. Graham called the solid masts "logs" and as I get older, I'm finding myself in agreement When I sailed the Tex 200, I had help stepping them They weren't that heavy in 2008!! I was NOT 71 then either

One other point- on the Rustoleum paints- We used the spar varnish on Traveler just before a Tex 200 one year. Within three weeks it was lifting from the sun. And yes, we KNOW how to prep- ran a furniture repair shop for 20 years

Scott- you might want to re think that. I've used nothing but Acrylic Latex enamels on boat interiors for almost 20 years now, with total satisfaction. Both mine and customers boats. I use semi gloss- water clean up, not strong odor, washable and long lasting. NOT talking about the old latex stuff- ACRYLIC latex is way different- and you can repaint a part, and sleep aboard that night.

And a weak solution of Oxalic Acid and water, will wipe that tannin stain off like erasing a blackboard. You get the same thing from running the ICW- known as "the waterway frown". I get mine a ACE, in the paint section. They call it wood bleach. I keep a container aboard always. Works with salt water too.

What a doll. And Graham- pictures of that dock make me "homesick" Would have loved to be there.

You should go if at all possible. And from what I saw in the videos, your 3 yr old will be a huge hit. DO IT!! Wish I could.

Talked to Graham yesterday. Sure glad no serious problems like last year with Irene

Well, I must have 10 or 12 different sanders in the shop- and the belt sander is used probably the least. I just seldom have a need for it, with tack and tape boats. In fact, except for squaring up a damaged chisel edge, I can't remember the last time I used a belt sander. My absolute favorite, go to sander is my Porter Cable 7335 Random Orbit machine, with stic-it pad. They no longer make this exact one, but have a new version. My next most used sander is also a Porter cable, ROS. but this one is a one handed, with the velcro discs. Don't have the number right at hand.. But I've got two of those. And a 4 1/2 angle grinder, with a flap wheel mounted, usually a 120 grit one. But they come in 60 to 180 grits. Invaluable for feathering edges of tapes seams on boat exteriors. I have a bunch of other machines, but those three are in use all the time. Then I have an assortment of long boards, and sanding blocks. You'll find that most every job winds up with a chunk of sand paper, wrapped around a sanding block, in your hand!

Looks like you folks just may have a wet and windy visit from Sandy on Sat - sure hope they are wrong, but I sure wouldn't bet on it.

I think that was it. Haven't talked to Chuck though. I'll see him next week and inquire.

Damn I'd love to be there, BUT- the 27th is my Mother's 92nd birthday and that kinda takes precedence And on the Stromboli- I got a small one and made two meals from it. Great food, great company.

I do, but the site itself it up. It's got something to do with the addressing. If you know the actual number code, the site comes up. I don''t know them. Planning to call Chuck today and get a fill in.

Most of the auto paints now are not a gloss. They depend on the top coat for that. I sprayed the top and hood of a couple of vehicles last year. The top coat is a high gloss and most have a 10 minute respray time.. The base coat is even quicker. The mast on Tehani (wooden) was sprayed with 4 coats of auto top coat 4 years ago and is still flawless. However it has no U/V screen in it, so the wood has bleached underneath. Big drawback to auto paints is they are quite costly- roughly 50 a quart (about the same as Imron or Awlgrip) and MUST be sprayed due to the rapid dry time. But sure- you could take the boat to a paint shop and have it done. Get a quote first, or be sitting down when you get the bill

All in all, very good post. Was interested in this though "Mercury Outboards are generally considered some of the most fuel efficient motors on the market." In over 7000 miles of coastal and Bahamas and Mexican (Yucatan and south) cruising in the last three years, I began noticing the brands of outboards. What I saw was that Yamaha OWNS the Gulf coast, east coast, Mexican and Bahamian markets, something like 4 or 5 to one. Mercury runs a distant second, and all other brands combined fall to third place. Personally I own two four stroke Yamaha's (an 8 hp and a 4 hp) and love them. Great fuel economy and so far, total reliability. Two strokes are dead as far as I'm concerned except for perhaps very small ones, like 2 and 3 hp, for use on dinghies. The 4 strokes have a weight problem to over come there.