Archive for February, 2009

Sail22 goes to Glue U

West System Headquarters

West System Headquarters

Here is a little write up from Ed’s Dad, Bill Furry, on his trip to Glue U to learn about West System Epoxy.  He and my cousin, Bill Becker went in Ed’s place as we were doing more important work at the Tobago Carnival Regatta and then on to a trip to Barbados.

Glue ‘U’ or more correctly “Boat Repair and Composite Technology Two-Day Professional Level Seminar/Workshop Course”. Put on by the Technical and Management Staff of Gougeon Brothers, Inc., or better known as WEST SYSTEM, INC….

I included all of the above titles, because that is exactly what the course entailed.  A very professional, hands-on introduction to their products for novices, as myself, but a lot of technical knowledge for ‘old timers’ and users of their products for many years. And they showed you the tools to use.  More importantly they gave you their knowledge and ‘tricks’ learned from their research.  But also the feed back and knowledge of their customers. Their support is unparalleled. It is like having your own R & D team working for you 24/7. Just give them a call.

I was one of two team members from SAIL22 attending the seminar, to gain further knowledge and also learn what is new, such as, the Six10 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive.

The seminar was a no nonsense, two day 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM presentation.  Their technical staff covered it all. Basic Application Techniques, Fiberglass  Repair, Gelcoat Blister Repair, Vacuum Bagging Techniques, Wooden Boat Restoration and Repair,Final Fairing & Finishing, Fastener Bonding, Composite Structures and Product Safety,

We use WEST SYSTEM, in the field, to get our clients up and running, between races if necessary. Plus we have found ways to use their system to modify and adopt equipment for our own special needs and specifications.

Two days well spent!!

Tobago Carnival Regatta

A Festival of Wind

A Festival of Wind

We just left Tobago from what has to be one of the best events that I have ever been to.  The first year this event has been held in Pigeon Point but the 10th year for the regatta.  This year they changed the dates due to the creation of the Southern Caribbean Circuit which also included Carriacou and Grenada.  We attended Grenada but missed Carriacou because of Key West Race Week.  But having this event on the beach at Pigeon Point made the event great with the addition of kiteboarding, windsurfing and the Bum boats pictured above.  The sailing side of the event included Cruising boats, Racer/Cruisers with a few raceboats added in, a maxi class, J24’s and Melges 24’s.  I was racing on a Melges 24 named Synergy and Becky was on a Racer/Cruiser named Wayward.  We had to play musical crew with our team as one of our guys had to fly back to Trinidad to be with his mother who was in the hospital.  Luckily we were able to get him for the last day where we needed to get two good races in to secure 2nd place which we did.  Becky’s team had a tougher event and finished 5th but her boat won the Southern Caribbean Circuit overall and the $10,000 cash prize.  A J24 was second and took home $3,000.  We have uploaded a bunch of photos on the our Flickr accounts.  You can click on them here.

Ed’s Flickr

Becky’s Flickr