Glen-L.com

Is one epoxy resin just about as good as the next?.....seems they can jump around in price somewhat.

Some may or may not be that important to you personally. One reason that we are all epoxy users rather that polyesther is because we believe there is a clear difference in performance. There are several comparisons published around the web. Take a look at what people are saying. The most expensive epoxies are not always best, but going for a bargain can be a mistake too. If you are building your own boat, choosing a good epoxy suitable for a marine environment is something you should be sure of.

Never thought to ask if US Composites was suitable for marine enviroments........just have been seeing different prices from West, Sytem 3, Epoxy Shield..etc.

Timm,

I used US composite products for my Squirt and have no complaints.
I used thin resin and medium hardener and the epoxy behaved exactly as the website outlined. (Fill, adhesion, cure time et. cetera)
Now weather West or System 3 will last longer than US, who knows. I believe it's all in the application technique and uv coating. And of course the conditions the boat is used in or subjected to.
My little Squirt will be used on the weekends to ferry beer and ice to the party cove, run the girls to the rest room, and the rest of the time she'll be in the garage..haha

Chuck

There is always some difference between different brands of epoxy;
viscocity, hardening time etc.

As I understand it the difference in price depends on the effort
in the production, research and testing.

Some years ago when building a kayak I ordered resin from Canada
because I couldn´t find it here in Iceland. The transport took
3 months and the transport fee was enormous. (By sea, no airmail here...)

When building my second kayak I found a resin dealer locally
selling epoxy intended for filling cracks in concrete.
It is really a "noname" epoxy called DekaTop.
It is just like any other epoxy I have tried and I would recomment to everyone
to search locally for epoxy before ordering it over entire continents.

There is no such thing as "marine" epoxy. Epoxy is suitable for marine conditions but
as oddly as it sounds polyester resin is not.
Though used widely in boatbuilding, polyester resin absorbs water if unprotected
making the epoxy resin a more feasable choice.
So try to get your epoxy resin locally and test it before using it for your project.

Ingólfur

(Iceland is a beautiful place and your women are amoung the most beautiful in the world as well)
Steve

and I bet they use boats to ferry the women to the bathroom just like in Indiana.

_________________
Isn't it amazing!! The person that never has the fortitude to pursue his own dreams, will be the first to try and discourage you from pursuing yours.

Dave,
We have to carry the girls to the bathroom...my 24 ft mother ship can't hold enough toilet paper to last them the whole weekend!

That means that your girls and my wife all belong to the same common sisterhood. LOL

IF it was possible to carry enough toilet paper to service the girls for the weekend and you had the misfortune of having the boat sink, it might seriously impact the lake level.* I can see where your idea of ferrying the girls back and forth is very wise.




*I have this mental picture of the water patrol making you wring out every last roll of TP just to get the lake back. LOL

_________________
Isn't it amazing!! The person that never has the fortitude to pursue his own dreams, will be the first to try and discourage you from pursuing yours.

Time to buy some stock in Charmin! They claim it's woven and stronger when wet, so I just used it for my woven cloth. haha

Dave, do you ever get up to Dale Hollow Lake?

Yes, I LOVE Dale Hollow lake. It winds around through the hills for miles and miles and it's just beautiful. But for the past several years, we've gone to Center Hill instead, simply because it's easier to get to - right off the interstate. But the last few years have seen Center Hill really getting developed and the weekend PWC crowd is really turning it from a peaceful and serene relaxation place into a loud partying carnival with a Daytona Beach atmosphere. It all depends on what you want. Dale Hollow is still quieter and more secluded and I think we're going to swing that direction this coming summer.

Also, houseboat rentals at Dale Hollow were a little less expensive a while back and I think it was because the rental people were having to attract customers away from Center Hill, although all that could change at any time. But because Dale Hollow has part of its waters in Kentucky, houseboats are required to be accompanied by a smaller boat to act as a "tender" in case of emergencies. It's a Kentucky state law and if part of a lake is in Kentucky, it's enforced all over the entire lake if I'm correct. I think that's a great idea but in the past, I haven't always had another boat. But if I can get my Zip finished, I'll be good to go.

Why do you ask? Have you been going there, too?

_________________
Isn't it amazing!! The person that never has the fortitude to pursue his own dreams, will be the first to try and discourage you from pursuing yours.

Dave,

Dale Hollow is a pristine lake that we love. Never been to Center Hill, but I have been to Watts Barr. Wow, what a lake. Sure would like a house there.
I sent a PM to you so we could yack without Barry getting on us for an off epoxy topic conversation.
haha

Chuck

I do know that you should not mix different brands cuz wierd stuff happens. I tried using some west systems hardner with my epoxy shield "a". It made a strange plyable almost rubbery glob.