17 June 2024 The bow inside

Hello friends now the hole is cut one, it’s just to get access to the front and now I’m going to put some glass fiber around here to make it stronger.

Inside this bow section there is foam in front of this Bulit, and it’s going to be REM force with glass fiber to especially in the bottom here where I usually hit when I’m out sailing.

Hello friends, now this is attached also with glass fiber all around. On top of that there is Speedy and so it’s now ready to go here in the front.

Preparation for reinforcement

This preparation work is done with a reinforced glass fiber construction. It’s very good and strong in the front part where there can be most need for it.

Especially in the bottom, where I usually hit when I’m out sailing, it’s many layers – up here, it’s two layers in front and also down there at the bottom.

Working with epoxy

The work environment here inside is kind of cramped and narrow, so I got some epoxy on my arms, but luckily it’s nothing to worry about because I started working with epoxy in the US back in 1975.

I was building trimarans together with Dick Newick at the Marieard yard. We didn’t know then that we should have had any kind of protection, so for the first 14 years – no gloves at all! No protection whatsoever.

But then in ’89 when I came back to the US again with Aiva Breeze and Watergreen and Yot, he said: “Hey Sven, watch out – use gloves because nowadays epoxy is dangerous.”

“So from then on,” he says, “every time you work with epoxy, wear some kind of protection – but even then sometimes it gets on the elbow.” Just makes your skin a bit allergic, and I suppose that’s the same way as how people can be allergic to things like cats or shrimp.

“So from then on now every time I use clothes when I’m working with epoxy,” he says, “but even then sometimes you get a little bit of it on the elbow.” It’s just an allergy really. Some people are allergic to things like cats; some are allergic to shrimp and others, well, others can’t stand the taste of brussels sprouts!

“But I’m not for epoxy,” he concludes, still chuckling, “so from then on now every time I use gloves.” But even so sometimes it gets some on the elbow. It’s just an allergic reaction and you know people are allergic like cats some like shrimps and some… some people don’t like the taste of brussels sprouts but I’m not for epoxy!

Moral of the Story

The key takeaway from this video is to always wear protective gloves when handling epoxy. While working on a boat, protection against skin exposure is crucial to avoid potential allergic reactions. This precautionary step should not be overlooked as it provides a safer environment for the work being done.