The technicians at the Delos Company in Greece were asked to solve a leaking problem with an indoor swimming pool at a house in Athens. The concrete and tile pool was located directly above the house’s boiler room, and leaked about 200 liters of water daily. Continue reading
By Joe Parker
Customers frequently ask us how to calculate the amount of fiberglass fabric or epoxy necessary to build or repair a fiberglass laminate. My son Brad and I are about to build a fiberglass canoe, so I will use that as an example to describe how to determine material needs for a project. Continue reading
By Max Wellhouse
Our volunteer boat repair crew at the 1996 Olympic Whitewater Slalom event was well prepared with a generous supply of WEST SYSTEM® 105 Resin and 205 Hardener. Our job was to fix the damage that the rocks and hydraulics of the powerful Ocoee river inflicted on the 120 boats competing in the Games. One hundred and thirty five athletes from over 30 countries came to test their skill at the 25-gate Whitewater course. Located in southeast Tennessee, it was the only medal event outside of Georgia. In this 400 meter event, paddlers are timed from start to finish, with minor time penalties for touching the poles and major penalties for missing gates entirely. Continue reading
By Captain James R. Watson
Often, our projects require specialized tools to get the job done—and nothing like what we need exists. The following are some tools I’ve inherited or have learned about from others and have used for years. Continue reading
By Captain James R. Watson
Many shops are heated only while working on the project. Often a bonding application is allowed to cure after the furnace is turned down and the shop cools off overnight. The question arises, does this temporary suppression of the cure affect adhesion. Continue reading
Jean-Yves Poirier of Atyre, France, built these strip planked boats with WEST SYSTEM Epoxy. Above— ZINNA, a half replica of an English 19th-century racing dinghy, 18′ long, 177 sq. ft. sail area, 400 pounds. Below—NYMPHEA, an ultralight Thames rowing skiff, 23′ long, 145 pounds. Continue reading
By Glenn House
Gougeon Brothers has composed a definitive safety guide for WEST SYSTEM epoxy users, called EPOXY SAFETY. The 12-page booklet contains general health, safety and environmental information, and explains basic precautionary measures for the typical epoxy user. It also covers some specific health problems that may result if these measures are ignored. Continue reading
By The Teak Connection
When it comes to meeting the challenges of the marine environment, no wood so nicely fits the bill as teak. Teak is a strong, hard, rot-resistant material. A naturally oily wood, teak will withstand the assault of the marine environment better than any other wood species. Teak is well suited for a variety of interior and exterior applications—from elegant teak and holly cabin soles to rugged toerails and handrails. Oiled, varnished or left natural, teak presents a rich, subtle beauty that is synonymous with traditional watercraft and quality. Continue reading
Cover Photo: Wingspread, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence near Racine, Washington.
Wingspread, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed residence near Racine, Wisconsin, was in desperate need of stabilization. The roof and side walls were showing movement and cracks caused by extreme snow loads and previous remodeling. Because this house is on the National Register of Historic Buildings (NRHB), the owners and architects were restricted to stringent guidelines in making repairs. Continue reading
As winter wore on, I ran out of things to do. There was no snow for skiing and no ice for ice boating. I figured it was a good time to make something fancy for the new catamaran. I reckoned that fairing the compasses that stuck up out of the deck would reduce windage and make everything look cleaner. I decided to make carbon fiber compass hoods with a clear finish inside and out. This was a good application for the matched mold technique of composite construction.