⚓ SBM Offshore Adventures

Gear & Resources

A running list of products we have actually used on Persistence, our 1981 CS 33. No manufacturer relationships. Just honest opinions from three people who have made expensive mistakes.

Adhesives & Sealants

  • 3M 5200 Fast Cure — Permanent marine adhesive/sealant. Used on through-hull fittings. Budget time for any future removal.
  • 3M 4200 — Sensible alternative for anything you might one day want to remove. Deck hardware and port frames.
  • Sikaflex 291 — Our go-to for teak and non-structural deck seams. Good UV resistance, paintable.
  • BoatLife Life-Caulk — Used on the coaming and cockpit drains.

Epoxy Systems

  • West System 105 Resin / 205 Fast Hardener — Primary epoxy for hull repairs and laminate work. Mandatory for the blister repair below the waterline.
  • West System 105 / 206 Slow Hardener — When ambient temperature drops below 15°C. More working time for large fills.
  • West System 407 Low-Density Filler — Fairing compound when mixed into epoxy. Good sandability.
  • West System 403 Microfibers — Structural fillets and bonding. Used extensively on the interior sole re-lamination.
  • TotalBoat Thixo — Two-part adhesive epoxy in a cartridge. Useful for quick repairs where metering full West System is overkill.

Bottom Paint & Antifouling

  • Interlux Micron CSC — Ablative bottom paint for the first season. Self-polishing, well-suited to Lake Ontario.
  • Interlux Interprotect 2000E — Epoxy barrier coat over blister repairs before antifouling.

Engine & Mechanical

  • Yanmar 2GM20 impeller (Jabsco 920-0001-P) — Replace annually. We learned this the hard way in Log #4.
  • Sta-Lube Marine Grease — Prop shaft and cutlass bearing.
  • CRC Heavy Duty Corrosion Inhibitor — Electrical connections and engine compartment.
  • DampRid — Passive moisture absorbers below decks over winter.

Tools

  • Milwaukee M18 FUEL drill/driver combo — Most-used tool. The impact driver is indispensable for old machine screws.
  • Makita multi-tool (oscillating) — Cutting out old core material in tight spots.
  • Festool RO 150 FEQ random orbital sander — For fairing work. Dust extraction essential.
  • Fluke 117 multimeter — DC circuit testing, battery voltage, mystery parasitic draws.

Safety Gear

  • Spinlock Deckvest 5D — 150N inflatable PFD with integrated harness. Serviced annually.
  • ACR ResQLink+ PLB — Registered with Transport Canada. Carried whenever we leave the marina.
  • Weems & Plath flare kit — Parachute, handheld, smoke. On Transport Canada schedule.

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