Recent content by Rob E

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    Bubble in deck

    Boathouse wrote: My other sailboat is a Hobie. It has a similar glass/foam/glass sandwich construction. Hobie's tend to delaminate in an area (right in front of the pylons) that is structurally important. So it is necessary to fix delam in that area. Their official recommendation is to use...
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    Effect of water in Hull

    This is a very bad idea, unless you like smoke and fire. Most computer fans are DC fans, especially the ones with "funny plugs." Never plug a DC motor into an AC line.
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    Heavy Laser, WHY

    Deimos wrote: Yes that would work. The sum of the forces (weight) equals the total weight. It's a simple physics problem. The only caveats are that the error in the measurements is also additive, and that you need to subtract the weight of the other objects (wood blocks in this case)...
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    minor damage, scratches

    What about MarineTex epoxy putty? This would seem to be an ideal application for it. http://www.marinetex.com/PRODUCT%20PAGE_files/All%20MarineTex%20Putty/marinetex%20prod%20info.htm I have never tried it. Any experiences pro or con?
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    Sanding Foils Down

    There are a number of threads that discuss applying epoxy to fair the daggerboard. Search for "laser blade repair". If the shape is correct, I think you could just paint it. Has anyone tried using epoxy appliance paint for this? Seems like it would be ideal.
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    Class Politics honestly now, what changes do you want to see

    Changes I'd like to see...anything that makes it faster/easier to rig and de-rig. It takes time to assemble the parts and tie all those knots. The laser is better than most, but I'd like to get out on the water faster.
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    How to gel coat large sections of the top deck?

    I thought I'd pass along some advice from the Hobie Cat forum: If you're ever shooting gelcoat, I found the homeowners secret. For $9.99 at Kragen auto you can buy a cheap touch up gun that shoots gel pefectly!! If the pot hardens, toss it and go get another one. It's way better than thrashing...
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    Class Politics Fixing things

    Since the laser was invented in 1970, any patent for it must have expired many years ago. Patents are only good for 20 years (in the US and most WTO countries). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Term_of_patent
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    Class Politics Preview: New Laser Rudder

    We could have a much better rudder. My other boat is a Hobie 16. It has EPO rudders. AIUI these are foam core with an outer epoxy-fiberglass layer. They are stiff and won't melt in your car. The rudders for the H16 are larger than the laser rudder, and they cost $250. The easy solution...
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    Help! My mast sections are stuck together!

    Have you tried heating the lower mast section? Blow torch might be overkill. :) But boiling water might work.
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    fairlead repair

    I recently did a similar job replacing the metal mainsheet strap with plastic. I used a large (1/4" or 3/8") cobalt drill bit and cutting fluid. I went to a specialty tools store to get the cutting fluid (Rapid Tap). Given that you broke a drill bit, try using a larger sized one at least 1/4".
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    Class Politics Laser Bailer Springs?!?

    Gouv: What problem(s) are you trying to solve? If you have some specific gripes, others can propose solutions. Incremental improvements are generally preferred to more extensive improvements. Lower risk. Easier and faster to implement. The suggested springs sound to me like an excellent...
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    Restoring an old hull

    That hole looks very similar to one I recently fixed in the deck of my boat. Have a look. I got lots of helpful advice on this thread and there are photos. http://www.laserforum.org/showthread.php?t=4691
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    deck pulling away from mast step repair patch

    I just finished a repair with West epoxy. I think it is probably the best way to go for your repair. As Geoff said, you can vary the viscosity by adding (or not) filler. More filler makes the resin more viscous (thicker). You can adjust its density trading off weight vs strength by the...
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    Advice on installing inspection port on rear deck?

    Perhaps the cubitainers have absorbed water. Can you lift the floatation bag/cubitainers and see if they are heavy?

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