Sorry to interrupt but is the Montgomery Knockabout this weekend at Lake Pleasant? Ian Black M-17 Seaweeble M-15 Judi B Sent from Mail<https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=550986> for Windows 10 From: jerry montgomery<mailto:jmbn1@outlook.com> Sent: Saturday, February 8, 2020 10:45 AM To: Dave Scobie<mailto:scoobscobie@gmail.com>; For and about Montgomery Sailboats<mailto:montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: M_Boats: polyester resin Very good, Dave. I agree with you 100%. Will I see you at Lake Pleasant? jerry ________________________________ From: montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats-bounces@mailman.xmission.com> on behalf of Dave Scobie <scoobscobie@gmail.com> Sent: Saturday, February 8, 2020 8:49 AM To: For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Subject: Re: M_Boats: polyester resin
That’s why it’s no longer used for resin/ wood composite construction , and epoxy resins are now used. A polyester boat left in wind, rain, sun with balsa core has an Achilles heel.
Ed, respectfully, I think you are overstating things a bit. there are very very very few composite boats made using anything but polyester resin. what many current boat builders do is lay up the outer two/three layers of fiber BELOW the waterline using vinylester resin (almost as water resistant as epoxy and a less expensive). the rest of the layup below, and everything above is done using poly. there are exceptions - Sage Marine being one: 100% vinylester resin above, below and all layers including the gel coat. epoxy is rarely used in production boats. #1 reason is cost. Next is, until recently, there was no gel coat that would work reliably with epoxy (the new epoxy gel coats are REALLY expensive!). balsa/wood core that is above the waterline and NOT experiencing a leak from a crack in the fiberglass or a leaking fitting will not rot. there isn't enough hydrostatic pressure to drive water into resin above the waterline caused by humidity and condensation. standing water in a filled to capacity very very deep bilge may cause issue over A VERY VERY VERY VERY long time. the issue with poly resin is external to the hull below the waterline - and this is mitigated using a barrier coat - and for a trailerable boat that isn't in the water for extended time wasteful of money (IMO). i don't like the idea of a boat using balsa below the waterline. modern wood boats are most commonly built with a covering of glass using epoxy (i own & live on one). most 'stitch and glue' craft use epoxy resin. polyester fiberglass boats are REALLY REALLY really really long lasting. they don't go away - this is the main reason, IMO, why there are so few new sailboats built these days as there is LOTS LOTS LOTS of 'old plastic' still around and available for cheap cheap cheap. there are also a lot of good condition old boats available for a lot less than a new build. the issue on old boats is leaking deck hardware. prior owners that didn't keep ahead of the condition of the bedding compound make simple fixes a BIG problem. AND then there owners using silicone to stop a boat leak ... there needs to be a rule that there is only one tube of silicone at any marine store and it is under lock and key and requires extensive questioning before it is sold to any boat owner!!! (ha ha) Mboats using silicone at only two locations - bedding the plastic portlights to the house (the silicone is used as a gasket that will not eat the window plastic. the portlight is held in place by the stainless fasteners.) in the marina my boat/home is currently moored she is one of the new boats - and she was completed in 2005. most of the boats present, especially the sailboats, are majority 70s and 80s built craft. maybe 10% of the boats present were built after 2000. balsa core is an excellent material when used _correctly_ (ex, my comment above about not being below the waterline). it is lighter and has better compression load abilities than any same weight synthetic material. foams are just as likely to experience delamination caused by a leak as balsa. foam, and similar, doesn't rot but once you get delamination the strength is gone. when buying a 'good old boat' check for evidence of leaks (easiest way is to see if there is weeping rust around a fitting (stainless rusts) and/or rust below deck on the nuts/bolts holding the fitting in place. next thump the deck and other areas where there is core (regardless if it is balsa, foam, etc) for delamition using the handle of a heavy screwdriver. after that if the boat uses steel ballast or has a steel keel/centerboard/daggerboard check their condition/fuction. for the rest of the boat lmost everything can be fixed and/or replaced and/or custom made (for those parts that are specific to a boat model and the manufacturer is long gone). I firmly believe people buying a used boat need to spend a bit more money to purchased a boat that is ready to sail condition v. one needing work - boat repairs take LOTS of money and LOTS of time (there is no such thing as a 'free boat'). if you like working on boats, and know how to do the work correctly (or are willing to learn), buy a craft needing work. if you like to sail buy a boat that is ready to sail. one final thought - just buy new sails ... if the sails are older than 10 years they need to be replaced. OK I'll step off my soapbox. Now everyone get their boat ready for the upcoming season! If you are near/in AZ come to the Wrinkleboat Messabout on Lake Pleasant AZ Feb. 15-17 2020. :: Dave Scobie :: SV SWALLOW - https://sv-swallow.com :: Montgomery 6'8" #650 :: Truck camper - https://truckpopupcamper.wordpress.com/ :: Ramblings - https://scoobsramblings.wordpress.com/ :: former M17 owner #375 SWEET PEA - https://m17-375.com/ <http://www.m17-375.webs.com/> :: former M15 owner #288 - http://www.freewebs.com/m15-name-scred On Sat, Feb 8, 2020 at 7:32 AM Edward Epifani <edepifani@hotmail.com> wrote:
As far as prevention,I would add 1: get the boat dry inside and out; 2: Re bed all through deck fittings. 3: ventilate. Despite the high quality Montgomery initial construction, polyester resin is not impermeable and does not completely seal imbedded wood. Even if there are no fitting leaks. Trapped moisture INSIDE the boat is enough to cause failure.That’s why it’s no longer used for resin/ wood composite construction , and epoxy resins are now used. A polyester boat left in wind, rain, sun with balsa core has an Achilles heel. Ed