Re: Fixing is nearly as fun as building
I'm glad you like working with epoxy and wood because we are all in
great anticipation of the I60. - Peter
great anticipation of the I60. - Peter
FBBB,
I don't know if I had mentioned it, but a big wind storm late last
year picked up my Light Scooner and threw it across the yard, doing
considerable damage to the sprit/mast partner, forward mast step, and
bursting a hole in the topsides. With no place to get the boat
inside, it's been sitting where it landed looking broken and sad.
Finally it's been warm enough to work outside without feeling like
you're under assault. I chiseled out the damaged portion of the
mast-step, routered out the damaged portion of the topsides, scribed
and cut a replacement section, measured a backing board, mixed a
batch of epoxy glue, mushed it all together (held in place with the
jack from my Volvo!), stuck a hair drier inside the forward
compartment to promote curing, and then wrapped the whole thing in a
sleeping bag to keep in the heat.
Viola! it worked. The epoxy is still a little soft (only had slow
hardener on hand) but it's well on it's way. A little sanding and
painting and the topsides will be as good as new. The mast step is an
easy fix, and the sprit should be nothing more than jamming the split
with glue and clamping it.
More importantly, it's reminded me how satisfying working on my boats
is. We joke about boat building's therapeutic aspects being the
hidden value in an otherwise difficult to justify financial equation.
I'm at the point I don't think it's a joke. It makes me feel that
good.
YIBB,
David
--
C.E.P.
415 W.46th Street
New York, New York 10036
http://www.crumblingempire.com
Mobile (646) 325-8325
Office (212) 247-0296
I don't know if I had mentioned it, but a big wind storm late last
year picked up my Light Scooner and threw it across the yard, doing
considerable damage to the sprit/mast partner, forward mast step, and
bursting a hole in the topsides. With no place to get the boat
inside, it's been sitting where it landed looking broken and sad.
Finally it's been warm enough to work outside without feeling like
you're under assault. I chiseled out the damaged portion of the
mast-step, routered out the damaged portion of the topsides, scribed
and cut a replacement section, measured a backing board, mixed a
batch of epoxy glue, mushed it all together (held in place with the
jack from my Volvo!), stuck a hair drier inside the forward
compartment to promote curing, and then wrapped the whole thing in a
sleeping bag to keep in the heat.
Viola! it worked. The epoxy is still a little soft (only had slow
hardener on hand) but it's well on it's way. A little sanding and
painting and the topsides will be as good as new. The mast step is an
easy fix, and the sprit should be nothing more than jamming the split
with glue and clamping it.
More importantly, it's reminded me how satisfying working on my boats
is. We joke about boat building's therapeutic aspects being the
hidden value in an otherwise difficult to justify financial equation.
I'm at the point I don't think it's a joke. It makes me feel that
good.
YIBB,
David
--
C.E.P.
415 W.46th Street
New York, New York 10036
http://www.crumblingempire.com
Mobile (646) 325-8325
Office (212) 247-0296