Conference unifix::sailing

    	I just was going to reply about a listing I was able to find for a 
    company who make keel templates. I'm sure they'd have info on dinghy 
    foils or know where to go. As I thought about the material part of the 
    question I started to think about other possible listings. I have the
    December 1990, Annual Directory Issue of Sailing World. In this there
    are listings covering what appears to be a very complete account of
    industry. If you can get a hold of a copy of this it would probably
    have the info you need. I'd list information for you, but there's just
    too much and I don't know specifically where you want to look. 
    
    	The listings are manufactures not distributers, but I'm sure they'd
    help you find a distributer.
    
    Geoff

    
        I once spent 2 grand to buy a new class boat that was 13 pounds 
    lighter because of new glass resin technology. When I put it in the 
    water, it didn't help as my crew put on 30 lbs during the off season.
    
         For wet boats, the cheapest method to go lighter is to get on a
    serious diet and training program. Not only will it accellerate better
    in puffs, but you will be in better condition to manhandle it on those
    windy days when everyone else is tired.
    
          john
       fat boy in the middle of losing 60 lbs (30 for me and a new crew).

(This is from the hip, not experience:)

There seem to be a lot of high-tech boatbuilders in RI, so I'd try a 
search there.  

First try would be to call Jamestown Distributors (Jamestown, RI), since
they are well connected with the hot and fast sailing crowd, and would
probably know where to get the stuff.  They might even handle the stuff
themselves. 

Second strategy would be Eric Goetz (who's building at least a couple of
the new AC boats), though another noter will have to help you with the
town he's in.  While they themselves might not want to bother selling you
anything, they probably could direct you to a distributor who would. 

Third strategy would be to locate a smaller builder who might be more 
willing to sell you hobbyist quantities.

J.

    Defender Industries in New Rochelle NY (the JC Whitney of boating)
    lists all kinds of raw materials some of which could be interpreted as
    high tech.  Check out their catalog.
    
    Boatex, Inc. in Natick Mass. carries bulk boatbuilding supplies if
    you're in the EMASS area.  You could also try calling North Sails in
    Marblehead and asking for John Pratt.  He deals in exotica and may
    be able to name sources.
    
    - gene

    Is Mark Lindsay still racing five-ohs? If so, ask him, as I'm sure
    he  knows. Larry Tuttle might be even better, but I think he moved
    to  the  west  coast.  Both  of  them  would know a lot both about
    building the boards and where to get the material.

    Dr. Eck  made some really light Five-oh blades from graphite fiber
    wrapped around end-grain balsa. He had an autoclave, which helped.
    This  was  over  10 years ago, and I don't know what's happened in
    the class since.

    Failing them  (and  Doctor  Eck,  who  I  suspect  stopped  racing
    seriously  a  long  while  ago),  call Gougeon. They can certainly
    supply  the  epoxies  and  most of the fibers, and they would know
    where  to get the rest. They used to be very helpful, and probably
    still are.  (I haven't dealt with them in several years.)

--David

    Gougeon Brothers of Bay City, Michigan is one of the best-known
    suppliers of boat-building epoxy, and carries just about all of the
    materials you list. Moreover, these are explicitly engineered to be
    compatible with epoxy (the coating of the materials varies depending on
    the kind of adhesive to be used). Try giving them a call at
    517-684-7286 for info.
    
    As an aside to illustrate why customers drive suppliers crazy, I use
    System 3 expoxy rather than Gougeon, but buy all my other supplies
    there.
    
    Ross Faneuf
    

re .0:

You might try Seeman Fiberglass, 800-358-1666, 6117 River Road, Harahan, 
Louisana. According to their ad, they have kevlar, carbon fiber, vinyl 
ester resin, core materials, and other expensive and fun stuff. 

Alan

    To all
    
    Thanks for your help so far. The information has been usefull and gives
    me an idea of where to search for these items. I was hoping that there
    might be a source in the Boston area where one could just walk in and
    pick up material off the shelf but it seems from the notes that most of
    the sources are mail order from a distance away, oh well.
    
    My search for information on centerboard and rudder design and building
    has not been as successful. There are some texts such as Abbot and Van
    Dornhoff ( theory of wing sections) and Marchai but these seem very
    technical with little practial experience to relate to and no building
    info at all. I spoke to Bruce Kirby about this and it seems like
    designers use a lot of intuition and years of experience. The designs
    being used today have not really changed much from the NACA sections
    which have been used for decades.
    
    The search goes on.
    
    Rick