In a freak turn of events, the weather has turned on us lately. You wouldn’t expect sub 40F temperatures in Louisiana even in the height of Winter, but there you have it. And what is this magical number relevant to? Its relevant because epoxy doesn’t set up below that temp range and the next step in our rigging project involves epoxy. It hasn’t helped that rain has been in the mix preventing us from daring to do any sort of deck work. But today… Finally a respite.
We went to the boat after a long time off of working on her to get down to the sticky business of plugging all the holes and filling up the rot from old leaking bolts.
The first step I had in mind was to sand down the old tops of the Sampson posts to below flush with the deck. Now I could have totally removed the posts but felt it was better to just leave them in place because they’re backing the forward most bulkhead. So I left them. And I ground down the remaining stumps above the deck with a belt sander.
Meanwhile, my lemming… errr Dani was busy using tape to cover the bottom of the holes in the anchor locker so that when I poured the epoxy into them they wouldn’t just drip out of the bottom. I’m not sure how she accomplishes this, and I just don’t ask.
We purchased some fast hardener (which I thought we’d never use) to mix up. Then I thickened this epoxy with high density filler until it was just thick enough that I could still suck it up into a syringe. I injected it into the old holes and also used it like a thick paste to cover over the tops of the sampson posts.
Of course a lot of it leaked into the deck holes or perhaps just filled up against the duct tape below. There were only two real “problem” holes so I mixed up even more epoxy and mixed in more filler until it was so thick that it came out of the cup like peanut butter. This ultra thick epoxy was slowly drizzled into the problem holes until every one was completely full.
Now all we have to do is wait for all of it to cure and then we can sand them all flush with the deck and line up the new sprit for new holes and mounting. God, that will really be the day!
After our little spurt of activity we enjoyed a really beautiful sunset.
And a nice smoke.
What? You didn’t think I meant cigarettes did ya?
15 comments
January 20, 2013 at 11:51 pm
Now I know where our usual 40 degree, rainy weather went. You guys have it. I wonder if that means we have Alaska’s weather. Sure feels like it lately. Cute photo of you two at the bottom. The pipe is a nice touch.
January 21, 2013 at 2:39 pm
Take the weather back please! Take it baaaaack.
January 21, 2013 at 7:10 am
I was hoping you guys were working on the boat. It was a beautiful day with a most beautiful sunset. Good picture of the 2 of you
January 21, 2013 at 2:39 pm
Yes, the weather was actually really pleasant, if it weren’t for the need for epoxy it would have been absolutely perfect.
January 21, 2013 at 8:01 am
Looks like a lovely day to ‘mess about in boats’… hope the epoxy cures in that chilly weather.
We are in the midst of an Arctic High here in Calgary and sitting in front of our fireplace dreaming of our upcoming voyage is as close to boat work we are doing right now! The boys in Gulf Harbour Marina in Auckland NZ are putting the finishing touches on Terrwyn and she goes back in the water this week to await our arrival on Feb. 9th.
January 21, 2013 at 2:40 pm
Wow, that deadline is coming up fast. Bet you’re stoked to get back to her!
January 21, 2013 at 10:15 am
Man, I only WISH I had 40° F. Currently its -4C which is about 28F, with wind chill down to -16C or about 4° F.
Here’s a trick for ya. Cut a wall out of cardboard about 4 inches high and fold it around the area you want to epoxy and tape it down all around. If you have a hair dryer or heat gun, pre-warm the deck and apply the epoxy. Then cover the box over with clear polythene film. (Like what you get your dry cleaning in.) The inside will warm up pretty good if there is sun. We have all kinds of odd tricks like that for working in the colder weather. Another trick is to pre-warm the epoxy in a bucket of water on the stove. It flows better when warm.
January 21, 2013 at 2:41 pm
You people in the cold sure do come up with some innovative ways to keep things warm.
Sounds like you should just get Sabre ready enough to make the jog down the coast and finish the refit in the sunny carrib.
January 22, 2013 at 9:10 pm
Unfortunately due to a misunderstanding with your immigration people over some thing I did long ago, I can’t even enter US waters. So she’ll have be ready for some serious blue water dancing before I can go anywhere. Besides my plan is Europe first then eithet into the Med or back across to the Windward Islands.
January 21, 2013 at 11:00 am
Hey Guys just an FYI on what we did for that issue, We make our mix thick like peanut butter and use the large icing bags, fill it up cut the tip and squeeze. Works out great and fast.
January 21, 2013 at 2:42 pm
Great tip, thanks guys. I hadn’t thought of using a bag to squeeze it out. That would be a lot easier than the cheap plastic syringe I McGyvered to do the job.
January 21, 2013 at 6:51 pm
The icing bag idea came to my mind before too. My mom is a cake decorator so I thought it would be a good idea.
January 24, 2013 at 9:16 am
We just used a freezer bag with the corner cut off. Worked fine once you figure out how much tho cut off.
January 21, 2013 at 6:53 pm
I just WISH I had your weather here in TN. I’ve had days in the low 20s. I need it to warm up so I can get back to my own boat projects.
January 23, 2013 at 10:14 am
Ahhhh yes, the days of epoxy. I was only the mixer, duct taper, and fiberglass cutter, and I still don’t miss those days. Good luck to you.