West System epoxy offers masterclass in transforming boat repairs
by West System 18 Feb 2023 12:00 UTC
25-26 February 2023
Visit WEST SYSTEM at RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show © Susannah Hart
Visitors to the RYA Dinghy and Watersports Show 2023 are being encouraged to attend a half hour masterclass on using the WEST SYSTEM® Mini Pack for two-stop bonding, filleting and sheathing. The demonstration will take place on stand J24 at 12pm (and 2:30pm) each day of the show and is aimed at owners of wooden or GRP boats.
The Mini Pack is a one-stop-pack for small repair jobs and includes resin, hardener, fillers, gloves, pots, syringes and more. The masterclass will explore how the contents can be used to effect quick overnight repairs at a regatta, as well as discovering new techniques.
The team from Wessex Resins - which manufactures WEST SYSTEM, PRO-SET® and ENTROPY RESINS® epoxy under license from Gougeon Brothers Inc - will provide advice on common problems which dingy sailors experience every season, like fixing bumps and scrapes and share expert tips for the use and application of WEST SYSTEM products.
Once sailors understand the few key basic techniques of working with epoxy, their boat repairs will be transformed.
WEST SYSTEM epoxy has long been the favourite epoxy system of choice for dinghy sailors as well as boat builders (like Spirit Yachts who use it on every boat). The demonstrations are a great gateway for those who have never used epoxy systems to learn in a relaxed setting. Plus the experienced team members are on hand to offer advice on all the products that Wessex Resins manufactures, including PRO-SET and Entropy Resins epoxy.
For those who already enjoy all the game changing benefits that a working knowledge of WEST SYSTEM epoxy brings, the masterclasses are a good chance to reconnect with the basics and / or learn how to move onto the next level.
"We really enjoy coming to shows like the RYA Dinghy Show," says Ian Oliver Wessex Resins' managing director. "It is really satisfying to connect with our end users and hear their stories about how WEST SYSTEM epoxy saved their hull, their rudder, or any number of constituent parts of their boat. Furthermore, being able to share our knowledge and skills and engender a whole new generation of sailors with epoxy knowledge is really rewarding.
"There's nothing quite like WEST SYSTEM epoxy on the market - we've been working with it for over forty years. We're really proud to be able to share the knowledge we've built up and whether projects are large or small, WEST SYSTEM technical publications and videos provide detailed procedures and instructions for specific repair and construction applications. They are all online and free to study."
Wessex Resins has committed to the RYA's Exhibitor Sustainability Pledge. While the company has been steadily decreasing the amount of plastic it uses with its packaging - instead switching to cardboard where possible - over the last 12 months, it's now also making its stand design and build as reusable as possible. Wessex Resins has also pledged to continue to spread the word on environmentally responsible behaviour, working to reduce, reuse and recycle. It's eliminated the use of single-use plastics on its stand including plastic bags and is joining the refill movement of ensuring only reusable water bottles and coffee cups are used on its stand.