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From: Kenny Sturgeon <kennysturgeon_at_prodigy.net>
subject: [Paddlewise] Fiberglassin'
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2003 18:19:58 -0500
Hi Everyone!
Just got an excellent new set of toys for christmas- A CD Caribou (oh yeah!)
and a carbon fiber greenlands style paddle!
Well of course- I am ready to start customizing the 'bou- with either a knee
tube or a voyaguer under deck bag, but I don't want to put any screws
through my beautiful new boat- does anybody know of any good resources for
me to learn how to do some fiberglass work? On the web would be great
(instant gratification) but books or magazines would work too!
Thanks Y'all!

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From: Erik Sprenne <sprenne_at_netnitco.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Fiberglassin'
Date: Thu, 9 Jan 2003 21:35:09 -0600
Kenny Sturgeon inquires
> does anybody know of any good resources for
> me to learn how to do some fiberglass work? On the web would be great
> (instant gratification) but books or magazines would work too!

On the 'net, browse (with attention also to the health & safety aspects) the
web sites of several of the epoxy companies that are often used by boat
builders.  These web sites do contain quite a bit of how-to information:
http://www.westsystem.com/
http://www.masepoxies.com/
http://www.systemthree.com/
http://www.raka.com/

Also see http://www.boatinglinks.com/lists/liststuf.asp?WPSid=555
for a whole page of fiberglassing/epoxy-related links (scroll down to
'Maintenance', and then click on 'Fiberglass, Epoxy' to see the links)

Of course, there's no reason why one must work with epoxy resins rather than
polyester resins, but that's another whole debate.....
The basic techniques of applying and wetting out the fiberglass cloth are
the same for both epoxy and polyester, so the technique-related information
in the above web-sites is good.

As far as a text resource, the out-of-print 'Boat Builders Manual' by
Charles Walbridge is a classic text.

Other suggestions:
- wear old clothes (a Tyvek jump suit even better - especially for
grinding/sanding fiberglass)
- wear disposable latex or nitrile gloves (keep the resin off your skin)
- a respirator with organic vapor cartridges is not a bad thing to invest in
- practice on something besides your Caribou first
- keep in mind that fiberglassing work is 95% preparation - once the resin
is mixed, the curing reaction begins and you better have all your supplies
laid out within arm's reach.

With a bit of practice, you'll find that fiberglassing is a skill that has
many uses - fixing boats, paddles, attic vent covers, stepladders, etc.  One
of my good friends has a '69 Chevy Nova that is structurally at least 50%
fiberglass :-)

Have fun,
Erik Sprenne



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From: Gordon Snapp <grsnapp_at_charter.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Fiberglassin'
Date: Fri, 10 Jan 2003 16:31:16 -0600
Kenny Sturgeon inquires


> does anybody know of any good resources for


> me to learn how to do some fiberglass work? On the web would be great


> (instant gratification) but books or magazines would work too!





People who make wood strip kayaks have to use a lot of epoxy and fiberglass
for a wide range of tasks, from glassing the entire hull, to reinforcing
coamings, to all sorts of small homemade widgets and doodads.  The creativity
and ingenuity is vast.





People ask questions and share ideas on a forum hosted by Guillemot Kayaks.
Click on the link below and peruse, or search for topics you're interested in,
or ask someone a specific question.





Hope this helps.


-G. Snapp





Guillemot Builder's Forum:
http://www.kayakforum.com/cgi-bin/Building/index.cgi



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From: <sildriel_at_ciateq.net.mx>
subject: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Hotel Question
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 17:31:57 -0600
I have a question on a subject that has created a discussion about how much we 
know sea kayakers tastes.

If you were to go to a kayaking hotel in another country with air conditioned 
room and windows facing the open sea, and were given food and kayaks for rent 
and guided or non guided tours, and taken to historical and folckoric places 
and driven from and to the airport, in tropical weather, with a swimming pool 
and a living room with air conditioned, kayak videos, books and magazines.
If, also, your kayak was placed on the soft sand beach and picked up by hotel 
personnel, how would you answer this question.

1.- The hotel must be on the beach.
2.- I wouldnīt mind to walk 60 feet to the sea water, and not being able to 
see the sea from the swimming pool. I would be happy if I can see it from my 
room.
3.- I wouldnīt mind to walk 60 feet to the sea water, and not being able to 
see the sea from the swimming pool or my room. I like to hear the sea though.

3.- I wouldnīt mind if I can not see the sea from my room and a little cart 
can drive me or I can walk 400 feet to the beach.

I thank you very much for your comments. 

Best Regards,

Rafael.







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From: firefly <firefly_at_eatel.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Hotel Question
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 19:55:34 -0600
Subject: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Hotel Question


> I have a question on a subject that has created a discussion about how
much we
> know sea kayakers tastes.
>
> If you were to go to a kayaking hotel in another country with air
conditioned
> room and windows facing the open sea, and were given food and kayaks for
rent
> and guided or non guided tours, and taken to historical and folckoric
places
> and driven from and to the airport, in tropical weather, with a swimming
pool
> and a living room with air conditioned, kayak videos, books and magazines.
> If, also, your kayak was placed on the soft sand beach and picked up by
hotel
> personnel, how would you answer this question.
>
> 1.- The hotel must be on the beach.
MY ANSWER: If I am going to the trouble of going to another country, I want
the hotel to be on the beach., unless it's a REAL bargain. To me, a bargain
is a room that costs $80 or less in a good area.

> 2.- I wouldnīt mind to walk 60 feet to the sea water, and not being able
to
> see the sea from the swimming pool. I would be happy if I can see it from
my
> room.
ANSWER: It better be a very nice room.

> 3.- I wouldnīt mind to walk 60 feet to the sea water, and not being able
to
> see the sea from the swimming pool or my room. I like to hear the sea
though.

ANSWER: No. It is hard for me to get time off. Unless the room was
inexpensive but nice.

 3.- I wouldnīt mind if I can not see the sea from my room and a little cart
> can drive me or I can walk 400 feet to the beach.
QUESTION: (Which may negate the above): Have I just spent all day kayaking
in a beautiful place? If so,  that makes a big difference. I will be too
tired at night to notice where my room is. I want it to be at least Holiday
Inn quality, though. No Motel 6 for me. I am spoiled rotten. LaQuinta is
good. I like LaQuinta. They take dogs with no questions and they have a
waffle maker at breakfast.

> I thank you very much for your comments.

ANSWER: My answers are slightly wine-affected. One glass. It is cold and
rainy here.

Marsanne

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From: Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Hotel Question
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 19:31:22 -0800
Rafael,

> 1.- The hotel must be on the beach.
            Not necesesarily
> 2.- I wouldnīt mind to walk 60 feet to the sea water, and not being able
to
> see the sea from the swimming pool. I would be happy if I can see it from
my
> room.
            I Agree

> 3.- I wouldnīt mind to walk 60 feet to the sea water, and not being able
to
> see the sea from the swimming pool or my room. I like to hear the sea
though.
            No problem walking 60 feet and the room is only to sleep in--not
sightsee from.
>
> 3.- I wouldnīt mind if I can not see the sea from my room and a little
cart
> can drive me or I can walk 400 feet to the beach.
            Again not a problem
>
Rafael, I have been to places in your country where a hotel room can be had
for  $15.US per couple. I am not looking for something like Cabo San Lucas
or Cazumel for kayaking.

My last trip to Mexico was to Baja Sur. Although the whale watching is
fantastic in Laguna Ojo de Liebre (AKA Scammon's Lagoon) the accommodations
in Guerrero Negro are not anywhere close to the quality in Cabo, Mexico
City, or Cazumel. Does that mean I wouldn't go back---no!! There is no other
place in the world to get as close to whales as there.

The adventure that a place has to offer is much more important than whether
or not the TV is in color (or if there even is TV).

Steve Holtzman


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From: <sildriel_at_ciateq.net.mx>
subject: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Hotel Question
Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2003 19:34:53 -0600
Thanks a lot for your responses. They really helped me a lot. 

Since there were so many answers Iīd like to tell you that most everybody 
decided that there was no need to have the hotel in the beach. Answers varied 
in the other details like wishing to see the sea from the room to the ones that 
didnīt mind in any way since they thought that being so tired of kayaking there 
was no need to see more of the sea, 

Few indicated that a camping tent and a kayak would be sufficient, staying on 
the sand, which is useful information, even though not related to the hotel 
requirements.

I think I won the argument, since I contended that kayakers donīt consider it a 
must to have the room by the sand, and being close enough for easy carry was 
sufficient. Other guys who are in the sea sports but with sailboats and other 
things thought it was a must to be by the beach. Specially disco goers, night 
beach party goers, etc. who spend the day like lizards roasting and drinking 
Coronas.

Thanks for your input, 

Hope to be able to offer something interesting in the future.

Best Regards

Rafael
el cayucochief
 




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From: Ari Saarto <ari0236_at_Saunalahti.fi>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Hotel Question
Date: Mon, 13 Jan 2003 09:22:28 +0200
Hi,

Rafael wrote:

> I think I won the argument, since I contended that kayakers donīt consider it
> a 
> must to have the room by the sand, and being close enough for easy carry was
> sufficient. Other guys who are in the sea sports but with sailboats and other
> things thought it was a must to be by the beach. Specially disco goers, night
> beach party goers, etc. who spend the day like lizards roasting and drinking
> Coronas.

Really, a serious question... Who needs a hotel if you can go paddling?!?

Ari - Finland

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From: firefly <firefly_at_eatel.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Kayaking Hotel Question
Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2003 20:27:21 -0600
Rafeal,
Discos=AAAUUUGGHH! You didn't mention noise. I would rather be 20 miles
inland than anywhere near a disco. If I am kayaking all day, I want quiet at
night. Let us know when you get set up. I will start learning Spanish.
Marsanne


. Other guys who are in the sea sports but with sailboats and other
> things thought it was a must to be by the beach. Specially disco goers,
night
> beach party goers, etc. who spend the

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From: <JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Fiberglassin'
Date: Sat, 11 Jan 2003 10:24:14 -0500
Gordon, the Guillemot sites are great.  Good mix of information, and amazingly fast responses, especially to panic questions.  

Also take a look at the Mas epoxy site, where the Gugeon (sp?) brothers offer an impressive supply of free information.  Check out their magazine, too.  This is AOL, so I probably won't link to them, but they're at <<http://www.masepoxies.com/mas8.htm.>>

West Systems also has a lot of great advice on using epoxies.  They'd like you to use theirs, but the observations and advice are universal.  You can find them at 
<<http://www.westsystem.com/>>

Biggest thing, especially if you haven't used this stuff before --- pay strict attention to the safety advice these guys give you.  This is bad stuff if it's not handled correctly.  It's incredible stuff if it is.  If anything, overcompensate when working with epoxy, and, if you're going to use a random orbital sander (ROS), be very, very careful to have the correct protection for eyes, skin and lungs.  Buy the best respirator you can get --- not the little filter masks --- the real, Darth Vader type deal.  Not cheap, but invaluable in protecting your lungs and your whole body.  You really don't want to develop an alergy to epoxy, or to suffer any of the many other things it can do to you.  But epoxy, chemically bonding (I don't know how) glass fiber and plywood is the best of all worlds.

Build safe!  Have fun.

Joq

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