Hi All,

I thought I might post a near end of season update on how the "Toy" managed its first season back on the water.

It was presenting pretty well in its first couple of outings up at Sugarloaf, still trying to get the family into the missing Saturday afternoons, we got in only about 6 or 7 sails before the States loomed up.

The Starboard hull signage showed some signs of lifting. I have a graphic artist mate who printed it up for me on the vinyl that is used on cars. The states prompted a trip to Altona for a bit of sea and wave training for the crew. That trip did the signage in a bit more, showed a weakness in the rudders against jellyfish, and collapsed the beach rollers I had knocked up. Oh well.

For the titles I modified some old kick up rudders to fit the Toy and changed some rigging.

By the time we arrived at Somers I was missing some of the signage and sailed well (at least I thought so!!!)on the first day, the second day I had to pull out of the first race as both of the rudders had stripped their glass outers and split the timbers, so it was back to the originals which kicked out backwards at the wrong moment (I never worked out if there was a 'right' moment). <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

The last day showed up some tuning issues with the rig in heavy weather with a massive weather helm and the luff of the main being back winded. (cause and effect).

Final result - 7th... which sounds better than last <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Inspection of the platform the following week has shown the decks have gone soft in the ply with some cracks in the starboard hull running abeam near the front beam. The 'Toy' has stretch marks again!

All else is in good nick - boards, rudders and sails are on the soon shopping list, with another set of hulls in a few years.

The International 2 pack certainly has done the job with the only weakness coming from underneath the paint. The keel line is standing up to a bit of treatment on sand, mud etc and still looks good - Definately a recommender.

Hope everyone enjoys the winter fixing time, I know there are a few clubs with races over the coming months (Sugarloaf for instance), And I hope to see you all at the Sauna Sail!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

I know there is a certain "Lemon" yellow mossie that is under repair at the moment - How about a story and some pictures please Peter...? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Guys, have read this post regularly with interest and wondered if maybe a pic of my mossie would add to the conversation.

Basically sealed with Everdue (originally) and has been treated with an equivalent product when the new decks were done. It was given to a friend of mine (who does car restorations and hotrods predominatly) to paint as it was/is far too cold to paint here.
It is painted in a 2 pack polyurethane and we won't go into brands but a high quality car paint.

I have been happy with it, looks sharp and has been durable, now she again has another lease of life, now to learn how to sail her again, especially after the A class.

DD

Hi Trevor,
saw your boat at the state titles and I must say you did a pretty good job on it(noticed the peeling sticker as well).
Im hoping my boat turns out as good as yours did when Im finished.
Pulled it apart after the vic states and still rubbing the boat back. I found out that the boat had a layer of primer followed with a layer of paint followed by a thick layer of primer and paint, thats why its taking for ever stripping the hulls.
When Im finished Im hoping the hulls will be alot lighter as well.
Hopefully be able to get a few pics up soon.

regards
william
nswmossie.com 1635
PS
Organising nsw state titles which is going to have a seperate sloop/cat class for the timber boats so all timber boat owners please consider.

DD,

What was the price difference between painting with marine paint and automotive paint ? Are they similar in price and is the automotive paint equivalent in performance against things like beach (sand/abrasion)damage or stretching/breathing to avoid cracks appearing with deck flex or overall general abuse ?

Regards,

Peter

Peter,
I have found that the dollar difference is marginal, depending of course on which paint you use, but generally just a tad cheaper to use Auto paint.
The big difference I find is in quality of finish, higher shine etc and is far more durable at least for our boats, and I have now either done or had done several boats, from Moths, thro' A's and our mossies(plural).
After all, auto finishes are designed to get wet, be left in the sun, range in temps from freezing to our Aussie sun (40+ C) etc etc.
Youngest's boat which took out "best presented" at last nationals was painted in auto finish but my mate....and after a hard season racing still looks the part.

Happy to give you paint details if you ever want them.

Ciao, David

The repair work to Lemon Peel is well underway and as always taking longer than I had hoped. The main tasks were to fix the fibreglass tape along the bottoms and to repaint large sections of the bows which had been repainted whith what appeared to be single pak over the existing epoxy. While stripping the paint from these areas I noticed quite a few hairline cracks in the rest of the paint and decided to do the whole mossie. I figured there was not a lot of point repainting half of the boat if the rest would need doing soon. The hardest area to strip was the deck which had a coarse mesh for grip. I think this had been applied after the first undercoat with following coats over the top. While it was hard to remove it did have good grip. I would like to replace it but am struggling to find what it is made of. I have tried fibreglass suppliers but it is not a glass product and I have tried spotlight but they have no material similar. I am keen if anyone knows what it may be?

I have almost finished stripping the hulls and will be on to filling and undercoats soon. I will try to add more reports as they happen.

Hi Peter,

my first Mossie had that Mesh on the decks no idea what it was, maybe Fibreglass Fly wire Mesh <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />. Personaly I have found either sprinkling house hold Salt, through a seive on to uncured paint (cheap), or K&H Non Skid Latex paint commonly used on pooldecks etc. to be very good grip. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Both of these do need occasional re coating though, as they are soft and wear away. But don't wear your gear or rear out <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.

Hi Peter,

Lemon Peel is certainly looking 'peeled' now...

Its always a good sign when your back to the timber - It means that half the hard work is done - Filling and fairing up next, eh? That is what took the most time with the Toy due to the temperature being low enough the epoxy products werent curing properly. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

As for the mesh - We had some rolled turf put in here a few years back, and the backing was a green plastic mesh that doesnt seem to break down in the sun. It was made up of squares about 3 or 4 mm per side. If you can find some it might work well. - There is plenty in my yard - just under the surface!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The tape your are looking for is called skrim backing and is no longer avalible it hasent been for about 8 years it was great as deck grip

Hi All,

I'm in the process of repainting my foils and rudders for the first time. (Timber)

The rope on the dagger boards appears to be held in place with epoxy filler or some such.

What's the easiest way to get it out?

Cheers

If holes have been drilled in the boards and rope glued in, I'd just cut the rope off close to the board and re-drill the hole.

Regards

Thanks Matt,

I think that's the case so that's what I'll do.

Eveytime I get a coat of something off, there's something else underneath. It took 3 goes with paint remover and a lot of elbow grease to get back to the glass and from what I read here, now the real work begins. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I'm glad I followed your referral and got Matt Kelly to do the hulls.

I have ever increasing admiration for the blokes that do it themselves. Where do you find the time? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Cheers

Thats half the trouble nowadays, I've had take a job off the farm and now found I have very little time. But I've promised some mates I would have my boat on the water for start of 07/08 season, so I will have to make the time to finish off.

Best thing about being on the land is that we usually have a bigger than average tool box, and we are a bit isolated, so we tend to just do things ourselves anyway, which I enjoy.

And without actually seeing the repair job, I know that Matt Kelly would have done a great job. Good Bloke. I think he should be a Dad by now, will have to call him later and find out.

Regards

Right on both counts.

Nice fella and the repair is invisible. I'd happily use him again.(touch wood I won't have to for a while). As the saying goes, "you get what you pay for". It hurt the hip pocket a bit but "well worth" the pain.

Cheers