Comments on: The Big Stick

By: sandbarsam

sandbarsam — Tue, 24 Mar 2015 15:24:51 +0000

Alex is right about adding “333” . Try painting early AM before its to hot. I am re painting my cockpit befor leaving for the “Bahamas”

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 18:57:54 +0000

In reply to BWalsh. Thanks BWalsh. Progress is slow but steady. For the last month, we've had a low pressure wave hit right on the weekends, providing a TON of rain. Normally, I'd be rejoicing at the much-needed rain, but not right now. I have work to do. We got 8 inches of rain on Saturday, so I was cramped under my Walmart Bimini, working in the engine room. I'll post updates when the mast/boom/spreaders are done being painted. I CANNOT WAIT to get this done!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 18:54:38 +0000

In reply to sandbarsam. No 'sir. Lorilee is over at a yard in Rockport, TX. I live about 3hrs North of there. If I ever find myself in Florida, I'd definitely like to meet up.

By: sandbarsam

sandbarsam — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 18:35:57 +0000

Ryan,are you at Indian town? I will be sailing past there and stoping there around April 21/22/23? I would like to meet and greet. I have known Alex since he stared his journey. Alex: if you read this I will be in the Abacos around the first of May.
I would like to hook up if you pass thru,let me know

By: BWalsh

BWalsh — Sat, 21 Mar 2015 01:40:29 +0000

I will second the advice from Bogey on the topic of servicable parts for the engine/things that seem like they should cross over to non- “marine”. I had a Universal brand diesel in my Sabre 28′ and I replaced the glow plugs with NGK from Amazon for very cheap money. Also did the alternator, belt etc with parts from Ebay (Marine Mando brand Alternator) and belt from NAPA auto parts.
All of this makes good sense for purchase of such parts; however Alex makes a solid point about some things being worth buying labeled “marine”: like the roller covers for your paint. Heavy solvents in polyurethane and acrylic urethane paints will eat up the rollers from Home Depot or Lowes in pretty short order. You need solvent resistant roller covers. I always splurge on the Redtree brand from West when I need to do a fancy paint job and I hand purge all the fuzzy junk out from the dry cover before I do anything. The paint is expensive enough. Its gotta look spiffy! Brushes however are a different story. I do use brushes and paint cups from Home Depot. Just read labels and buy a “Purdy” or other quality brush.

Most of this knowledge is learned for us boat-folk the hard way (education is never free)… You’re on the right track. Keep up the good work!

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 21:48:50 +0000

In reply to fishin4bogey. Great advice! Thanks :)

By: fishin4bogey

fishin4bogey — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 21:45:55 +0000

If it says “Marine” or you buy it in a marine store, it’ll automatically cost more.

I work for a company that does land development. We have almost every size machine imaginable. Of course those machines need maintenance like everything else. That “marine” filter is made by the same people who make my filters for my machinery. A quick example. An old friend had a power boat with a Crusader powertrain. I think they were twin 351 Windsor’s. Old ford V-8 used a Fram PH8a oil filters. Didn’t matter what it was in, it was a PH8a. We sold them all day long for like $7.99. He was insisting that Fram made different ones for marine applications. Nope. Same filter. One day my Fram rep was in the shop, and in walks my buddy. He’d been paying 15 bucks per filter for three years. Fram rep looks at him and just laughed.

So when you will be needing parts check around. You will almost always find stuff cheaper. With filters and such, write down all your filter numbers, and keep those handy.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:20:10 +0000

Once you get good at rolling and tipping 2-part poly you will have another marketable skill to make money as you travel.

By: Alex

Alex — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:19:05 +0000

Ask them how much, they will know and a proper mixture makes all the difference. Also you need to use proper foam rollers that don’t fall apart from the thinner, check at WM, the foam rollers I get here are black.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Wed, 18 Mar 2015 16:11:46 +0000

In reply to Alex. I did buy a brushing thinner for both the primer and the topcoat. It does not specify how much to use though. When I do the second coat, I'll then a little bit more to see if that will give me a nicer finish.