[The hydrodynamic qualities of Plasti-Dip!]

I would think the plast-dip would work fine. The tacky characteristic it has for other solid objects has little if any relationship to how the coated rudder will flow through water. It probably isn't as drag free as the new high-tech hard racing bottom paints. But unless you are entering an important race; who cares? :wink:

[Solo weekend (parts 1 and 2)]

Looks like you had a great trip. Narraganset Bay is such a great place to sail. Many have proclaimed it the best small boat sailing on the east coast.

Does anyone else have as much fun in their boat as you do?

I work in a boatyard and we have very few customers who could compete with Jeff in a fun/season contest

[The hydrodynamic qualities of Plasti-Dip!]

At the boatyard where I work we repaint aluminum spars all the time. We use Awlgrip products on them.

After prep and a serious cleaning of the surfaces we apply several coats of Awlgrip 545 2-part epoxy primer. If applied at intervals of 1 to 9 hours between coats it can be "hot" recoated; that means no sanding between coats needed. After 3 to 10 coats of primer (we have some very picky and wealthy customers) the primer is sanded with 400g paper and sprayed with Awlgrip 2-part linear polymer polyurethane topcoat. Some have us sand again and dress with clear.

Awlgrip can also be brushed. The results, though not a car finish like sprayed, are still quite good.

I will be using these products on my Spindrift 9N this winter. I will be "rolling and tipping"

If you choose to use 2 part epoxies and polyurethanes make sure to read the MSDSs and DO NOT skimp on the safety equipment they call for.

[The hydrodynamic qualities of Plasti-Dip!]

Is "plasti-dip" the stuff you dip tool handles into, like pliers?

[red cedar]

If there is any piece on a dinghy where resilience is more important than weight; you have found it. I am certainly considering weight for my choice for gunwhales, probably going to choose Sitka Spruce. But since every time I drag my tender the keel batten is going to suffer for it I think I am going to use African Mahogany. It has long stringy fibers that bend well and resist abrasion. It glues well and is quite rot resistant.

I'm not sure how available it is in areas where boat building doesn't normally occur though.

[When a person is tired...]

My mother says that when I was 2 years old I would row cardboard boxes with her best wooden cooking spoons. When I was 5 she would let me row the family pram in 2 feet of water and anchored on a short scope while she watched me row and my brother swim.

Maybe there is some kid near you pining away for a boat who could earn it in some creative way?

I don't know how many kids today fell in love with boats early like I did, but if you find one you will make him/her extremely happy.

Dave

self-restored 1967 Pearson Renegade

soon to be started Spindrift 9 Nesting