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Subject: TWL: Introductions and chemistry
From: Robert Kassal (bkboater@XXX.XXX)
Date: Sun Dec 02 2001 - 09:08:13 EST
Since we are doing re-introductions, here's mine in a bit more detail than
the first time.
I'm a research polymer chemist with 38 years at a major chemical company. I
spent two years at a smaller one before that. My experience is in
engineering thermoplastics, elastomers (rubber), composites such as glass,
Kevlar and graphite-reinforced thermosetting resins like epoxies, polyesters
and vinyl esters. And I've spent many years as an expert witness on some
large litigation issues. I also worked in the family fiberglass boat company
in the '50's building small boats, surf boards and buoys. I'm getting ready
to retire soon and already have the boat in Florida awaiting us.
My hobbies other than boats are wood working, reading, music etc. I
collected a 50T Mariners ticket along the way that I let lapse in part
because I forgot to renew it. Fifteen to twenty years or so ago I was fairly
active in the USPS.
I began boating on the family runabouts on Long Island and after completing
grad school at UF, bought my first wooden runabout, an 18' Thompson (are
they still around as a company?). That woody led to another, a 23' Penn Yan.
Next came a 28' Pearson Rendova, my only twin screw boat. I replaced that 10
years later with a new 1979 34' Mainship (Perkins 6354) and eight years
later with a new 1987 Hershine 41 sundeck which is the same as the
Newburyport 41 or Albin 40. These sundecks were only built for a couple of
years. The boat has a single Lehman 135. Obviously I weigh in on the single
screw side of the power discussions. This boat has a lot of windage, but no
bow thruster, and only two scratches from docking incidents in all those
years. We added a custom aluminum hardtop and arch with full bridge and aft
deck enclosures to provide superb livability and even more windage. The
'Chateau de Mer' has a 8KW generator and the usual living amenities like two
station reverse cycle air, follow-me TV, a small inverter, TV's and stereo
etc. The blow boat is on Weaver snap davits on the swim platform.
Until taking the boat to Florida this fall, our travels were primarily on
the Chesapeake Bay but excursions took us from Atlantic City at the northern
extreme, to Beaufort NC at the southern end. Home base is Baltimore Yacht
Club.
The boat is equipped with autopilot, 36 mile radar, a lap top with GPS for
navigation (what a difference that makes) and the usual compliment of
radios, depth sounders, stereo, fuel polishing system, etc. I installed
almost all of this myself with help from kids and later my son-in-law and
still try to do most all the maintenance and repair myself. We also did a
roll and tip Algrip job on the topsides after doing so many fiberglass
repairs that matching up color was becoming difficult.
The wood working hobby has come in handy as you might expect. One of the
first of the customizing projects was to remove the built in settee and
rebuild and refinish the walls where it was. This continued on to many
projects to increase the storage space by fitting drawers and shelves in
every available space. Changed sinks, faucets, counter tops, you name it.
It's now really well set up to live aboard. If only I could get rid of the
tub and replace it with a stand-up shower but space is limiting. The admiral
would also like a washer/dryer but agreed to give the current arrangement a
one year trial before we get into the modifications that a W/D would
require.
About 1991 I had the bottom peeled and I did a vinyl ester barrier coat
rebuild using an organic thixotropic thickening agent that reduced the
number of coats from dozen or so to 3-4. No blisters since (knock on wood,
I would not be able to tackle that job again at 65).
I've enjoyed the list and the many technical discussions and advice that is
so freely given by the listees. I tend not to write many responses to the
list, but rather direct them to individuals who have posed questions.
Finally the chemistry lesson. Adding acids to water when diluting them is
the correct way and should be the only way unless you know a bit about the
acid you are diluting. Clearly it is the only way to handle a concentrated
acid like sulfuric acid (AKA oleum). However muriatic acid (hydrochloric
acid), while a very strong acid, is only 37% hydrogen chloride. The rest is
water, so it doesn't generate much heat and in the lab when we want to
dilute it a bit we might cautiously add water to the acid while stirring.
However, one should always be prepared for a mishap and wear goggles, rubber
gloves etc.
Regards,
Bob Kassal
Chateau de Mer
Currently awaiting us on the Ortega River
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