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Examples of glass filler (microspheres) and glass material (cut fibers and two fabrics) for plastics reinforcement: glass microspheres (or glass beads); diameter: about 300 µm, specific gravity: 2.5. Mineral filler mainly used to increase the stiffness of a thermoset resin and to make road safety markings; 5 mm length chopped strands of fiberglass used to reinforce thermoset resins; fibrous reinforcements for thermoset resins: two glass fabrics with different area density; fiber orientation: 0 and 90° (most common): weave pattern: taffeta (down left, area density: 550 g/m2), and 2x2 twill (down right, area density: 280 g/m2). Credit: WikiCommons/CC BY-SA 3.0

A Brief Modern History of Fiberglass

Fiberglass, also known as glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), has been an integral material in modern engineering and design, especially within the marine industry. Its lightweight,...

Another Look at ‘Dustless’ Sanding

In “Dustless Sanding,” (see PS April 2016), we described a simple modification to a 5-gallon bucket that would make collecting dust from bottom painting...
Mid-May at Ile Perrot Yacht Club in Quebec. This time of year is when the sailing season begins in earnest. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

How Much Does it Cost to Own a Sailboat in Quebec, Eastern Ontario, Upper...

You’ve been out a few times with friends on their sailboat and now, you’ve caught the sailing bug and, be well advised, there is...
Two Sea Shield anodes installed fore and aft of the cutlass bearing. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Anode Basics: Dos and Don’ts

No matter what type of boat you have, if she’s kept in the water all season, maintaining your sacrificial anodes must be part of...

What’s The Best Bottom Paint?

We consider two years to be the practical limit for antifouling paints, and we like to haul our boats every two years for other...
Mooring line with shock absorbers and sock sleeves. Plain, white socks keep the shock absorbers from marking your hull. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Boat Hook and Fender Hacks

Point me to any boat, anywhere, anytime and I can guarantee you I will find a few tricks or particular set-ups made by its...
Propane tank valve and pressure gauge. Since a propane leak can be catastrophic, make sure to schedule in a propane tank and fitting check into your maintenance calendar. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Propane Leak: How to Detect, Locate and Fix

There isn’t much that scares or worries me when it comes to all things about boats. Except two: large amounts of water coming in...

Sailing Triteia: Budget Bluewater Cruising

If I were to sum up, in one word, how James Frederick has managed to create his sailing life, I’d say “resourcefully.” The 49-year-old...

Why Choose the Wharram Design?

Gathered on the sofa, I fumbled with the HDMI cable, trying to connect my laptop to our TV. “What’s this movie about?” Ryder, our eldest,...
Covering the boat is one of the last steps in the winterizing process which readies all of your boat systems for the coming temperature drop. (Photo/ Marc Robic)

Winterizing: Make It Easy With Checklists

When summer turns into fall, most DIY boat owners start exchanging ideas on how each one proceeds with their winterizing process. This is definitely...

A Rival for Island Packet, Made in China – Outbound 46...

Like Kraken Yachts and some Passport sailboats, Outbound Yachts are made in China. It's heavy like an Island Packet, but fast like a Beneteau....

Latest Sailboat Review

Grampian 26 Used Boat Review

The first fiberglass auxiliary sailboats were built in the late 1950s; for the record, the first was the 40-foot Philip Rhodes-designed Bounty II (1956),...