Houdini Ariel #407

[george copeland]

Fellow Ariel Devotees and Luminaries--
I plan to replace the counter-top on Houdini. Wanted to use Silestone, custom cut to proper dimensions. Anybody done this in Silestone? Results?
Houdini, #407

[george copeland]

Ok--so check this out. New covers for my obsessive and over-wrought varnish job on Houdini. Just couldn't stomach the ravages of Old Man Sun. Better to spend money than to agonize over a small spot where the varnish is starting to chafe.

But wait,there's more!.... :eek:

[george copeland]

Those little crazes and divets and spots where a guest dropped a sledge hammer 25 years ago? They disappear this fall. Why? Because...take a deep breath, now, ye adherents to urethane--The Mighty Hoo gets RE-GELCOATED on the main deck and cabin top. Researched, researched and researched again--found technical docs at West Systems wherein the question long pondered was tested in a lab. To wit: will gelcoat adhere to epoxy? The answer, in short form, is yes (if properly prepared)--at least to the tune of 1000 to 1200 psi necessary to divorce the two.
And---here's the big reason my enthusiasm for the project went into cheerleading territory: my buddy (an old-boat restoration guy of local note) regelcoated his Westsail 32 a couple months ago: MAGNIFICENT! BRAVO!
Back with more pics when The Hoo is done...