RE: [Cal_Boats] West System (Matt)

Matt, when I am doing hot day epoxy work, I put the epoxy tub in a bath of ice water for a few minutes before I mix. Gets a few more minutes before it kicks. Scott and I have done boat work together. We are both Annapolitans (or nearby). Cheers Charlie CAL 25 1657 Chicken Little CAL 25 460 Fahrvergnugen CAL 25 1845 Hasty CAL 40 58 C-Hawk I type it all out periodically, because I don't really believe it. From: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com [mailto:Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Lost Sailor Sent: Friday, February 03, 2006 5:15 PM To: Ca… [at] yahoogroups.com Subject: [Cal_Boats] West System Hi Scott and the rest of the groupsters, I've been working with West System on a variety of projects on my cal25. Living in the keys, heat is my issue, too quick of a cure. I use a slow hardener but still need to be quick in my work. I've learned to always do a dry run first and get everything I need ready before starting on the epoxy project. As far as West System not kicking properly, logically it would seem to me to be the ratio "mix". Unless you're using 209 hardener in under 50 degrees, the mix is the ticket. Only 205 will cure properly under 60 degrees according to the Gougeon Brothers. My hardener pump has started to lose some of its prime if I haven't used it in a while and I watch closely to see that it does not start with air before the hardener comes out. Even when a bit of air comes out and I guess how much it is and pump some more, I have never had a problem with west curing. I always stir it profusely to mix it well but not violently as to not cause air bubbles. Check your pumps. Make sure they are clear of obstructions inside, make sure they don't lose prime, and make sure they are returning to the top completely after each pump, and then check with measuring cups. And of course, don't mix up the two hardener pumps. 205 and 206 are 5:1 while 207 and 209 are 3:1. There are lots of reasons for delamination (leftover amine blush and no sanding) or maybe spots where the epoxy didn't fill in after you're done tipping off and have left the room (as when rubbing too hard with a wax cloth to remove dust prior to coating), but a non-cured epoxy in the proper environmental conditions is a cause of improper mixing. I just finished reading a book written in the '70's about wooden boat building by the Gougeon Brothers. They use awsome techniques in guaranteeing strength and lightness which work on any boat. Since my Cal is a '65 and the gelcoat is gone, all of my repairs and renovations involve West System. (Epoxy works awesomely over polyester but polyester resin and geloats do not work well over epoxy.) Unless the goopy layer has cured by now, I strongly recommend removing the uncured layer, how ever you can, and start over. If all your other batches have cured with no problem, get rid of the goopy layer and start over. There's nothing like taking all the preparation time on the sole, having a bad cure, going on, only to find out you have to remove your sole and start all over again later. A lost sole. May God bless your sole. Peaceski Mattski "Shakedown" '65 Cal25 #104 PS I would love to have some pics of your boat Scott if you have any. I'm completely renovating my Cal and not having owned one before, need ideas for the interior as well as how things are "supposed" to be on the rest of the boat. Yahoo! Groups Links

Looks like you can qualify for a class start by yourself. Well, this is obviously carrying coals to Newcastle, but here goes: Went down to Pleasure Cove to help the Scouts with their newest acquisition, a Tanton 43 wishbone ketch. With unstayed masts and a canoe-like hull, its certainly a boat with a distinctive character. While there, my friend Steve informed me of another donation, a Cal 25. They have not inspected this boat yet, but they say from the outside it appears to be in reasonable condition. Any person desiring to join the vaunted Cal 25 fleet for a modest outlay (and not already engaged in adoption proceedings) may contact me for more details. This is in addition to the somewhat dog-eared T/4 they already hold. FYI, on another note, West Marine has rearranged their rope selections and there are spools (or any length) of Staset line (and other types) for half price in many stores now for clearance. This is not a promotional gimmick from them, its a reduction in space devoted to running rigging colors and sizes. John Dawson Kefi, Balto. Husar Charlie <hu… [at] bah.com> wrote: We are both Annapolitans (or nearby). Cheers Charlie CAL 25 1657 Chicken Little CAL 25 460 Fahrvergnugen CAL 25 1845 Hasty CAL 40 58 C-Hawk I type it all out periodically, because I don't really believe it. --------------------------------- Relax. Yahoo! Mail virus scanning helps detect nasty viruses!

Somebody once posted a source for replacement port lights (salon windows) for the Cal 29. I have a buddy in Hawaii who needs to do this. Can you remind me? Thanks. \Rog Cal 29+ #1 Swiss Navy Cal 2-30 #77 St. Lori's Comet