: Hey John,

: Ready for R2K3?
: Are you bringing anything along with you on the plane (boat wise)?

It's MUCH easier to be ready when you don't take a boat I'll drive up next year - may have as many as 10 boats and a Phoenix contingent for next year. This year the big question is if I should try to take my favorite paddle or just my wet gear. If I don't get bumped I should be into Seattle about 4:30 on Thursday - hoping to find a campsite at Old Fort Townsend or I'll do the homeless thing behind Safeway.

: I don't think I can mix the epoxy fast enough. In order to finish the boat on
: time. We've been using MAS fast hardener. We mix between 9 and 18 grams at
: a time and work real fast. It was real tricky during our spell of 100'+
: weather. The epoxy would be heating up within a couple of minutes.

I know what you mean! 1.5 ounce batches of Raka 127/350 kick in about 10 minutes. In between waiting for glass to cure on the King, I've sanded down the Return hull and added a Vectacloth polypropelene fabric abrasion strip on both stems. Want to use it on the King, but wanted to try first on the "experienced" boat. Really tough stuff - very difficult to cut.

The King is getting closer, but won't have the deck ready to join to the hull before next weekend. Have to get it done in time for our Green River trip in late September.

Good luck on the boats. Looking forward to seeing you.

jrs