Once again it is time for the serious boat show here in Seattle. It used to be known as Fish Expo as it was for fishermen. It now has the upscale name of Pacific Marine Expo. http://www.pacificmarineexpo.com/en/attend/show-schedule

Again, as my friend Steve Scheidler once noted to me there, “If this equpment fails, people die.” True. This Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Guys, I had guessed that epoxy season would  end like usual in mid October. It has been odd year. I expected to finish the work in September, but that month was the wettest one on record.  Ten times the usual rain as I recall.  Then October and now November are far better and warmer than expected. I need to take a few more days off and epoxy the lunar lander parts together before the snow actually starts. I hope everybody can wait just a few more days.

And yes, finally. Its been so long that I can’t remember, but I think these are switches, and not just lights.   I like the bright shiny things.

BocaTech Inc. http://www.bocatechinc.com/
Pan and zoom.

OK just a few more IBEX. Plastic strainers and other water handling equipment. USCG does not approve as if there is a fire, they might melt, leak and put out the fire….
USCG doesn’t understand that these boats don’t sink.  I had not seen the plastic strainers before.  I’m in favor of as little metal as possible on my designs.

Maybe everybody already knew about this; but I thought these were the first USCG certified thermoplastic fuel tanks that I have seen that were approved for use on and in COI vessels. INCA company.  

And, this just in.  Profligate just discovered the same thing; different company.  And big cash savings.  http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2013-11-04#.UngdAXCsiSo

I found these LED lit cupholders at IBEX. Utterly useless and so wonderful that I want some.  RDI company.  www.rdillc.com  203-481-7347

Just a few more IBEX things and I’m done.

OK I better wrap up the IBEX stuff here. It was the first year we could take pictures and I took a lot.

This Canadian company, Pacific Coast Marine Windshields,  makes double curved glass windows. I have hear rumors that such things can’t be found. People forget that Sarabi had them also. This company also has a factory in Ukraine for European customers.  www.pcmw.ca

I just got this pic of the finished plug of the 40′ catamaran being built in China. I understand molds will be built, but that looks like a mold under it now.  They should be available some time next year.

I know that I have complained in the past about the fiberglass prices at Fisheries Supply.  Overall though they have better prices than any other place that I know of.  I recently bought some hardware at Ballard Hardware, since it was near where I was at CSR.  The parts were 2 to 3 time the cost of the same items at Fisheries.  Hence “don’t tell Carl” (the owner).  I also had to get some microbaloons on Labor Day.  Fisheries was closed so I got the West Marine experience.  Half the size and double the price.

At IBEX I have told myself that if I miss a booth, I can probably find the same product on display at Fisheries.

I am worried that I have been seeing empty shelf phenomena at Fisheries lately.  Not sure if that is important, but.  In the past I have seen companies like Murray Pacific Salvage and Boeing Surplus go away.  I had assumed other companies would emerge to do the same thing.  It never happened.

I urge everyone to take advantage of Carl and get their boat things at Fisheries.  They can’t be replaced.