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[Will]

Hello all,

Let me introduce myself.  I'm an American expat long in Switzerland and have returned to model boating after 40 years of other vices.  A Bluenose sloop I had built while at the University recently caught fire in a backlash from the fireplace...surprising how combustable old wax, balsa, cotton and lacquer based paint can be.   I thought I'd repair it, but decided to update my skills first.

A Vac-U-Tug introduced me to plastic hulls, CA glues, epoxy paints, radio control and electronics as well as very modest 'kit bashing'.  I modeled it after the Moran Tugs I used to watch back when I sailed a 'sit in' boat in New York harbor.   As my tugboat's American radio frequencies proved to conflict with those of the Swiss Army, I shifted back to sailboats and built a RG-65 to join a very active local Swiss fleet.  My first effort unfortunately sank in 20 meters of very a dark water after nearly being run down by a Lake Constance steamer whose wake displaced the last air in the hull.  Wet electronics caused me to loose control.  Lesson learned on hatch sealing.  The second effort, a bit lighter thanks to many fewer coats of paint and a lot less glue, is slowly bringing me up to the middle of the fleet as my thumbs become more adept.   Surprising how much RG-65 sailing is like my old Laser, without worry about the boom or death rolls, and much easier on the knees.  Now if I could just remember which way the boat turns when sailing toward me and figure out when I am in front of, behind, or about to hit that mark.

But I'm not a total dilettante here.  My winter project, an Artesania Latina Swift, is bringing me up to speed on plank on frame construction and teaching me that cyanoacrylate glue really doesn't agree with my sinuses.  But the project is looking good and will replace the Bluenose on the mantle, assuming it wins wifely approval and can displace some china figurines that have moved into the sailboat slot on while I was otherwise occupied.

I've enjoyed lurking on Mayhem for some time and felt it time to add my two cents.  Hope the pictures come across

Will  (really my name, am I alone in finding these strange 'handles' silly?)

[john s 2]

Totally agree with you Will about names some members use. I was named John by my parents and am happy to use the name i was given. John.

[richtea]

Welcome to Mayhem Will,
any problems just ask,
there's usually some one who can help out.
Regards
Richard  

[Dreadstar]

Personally,my forum name was my old CB handle from the '80's. My real name is David,but there are a lot of Davies on here.

[Martin (Admin)]

Hi Will and welcome aboard the good ship Mayhem.

Love the Vac-U-Tug, good job!   

  Martin.

 (my old CB handle was 'Speedbird' after the B.O.A.C. logo)

[Will]

Thanks to all for the kind welcome.  Sorry about the comment about "handles".  I didn't mean any disrespect, I'm sure there are good reasons not to use given names.

Will Gasser, Zurich

[Norseman]

Hi Will and welcome

No offence taken at all,  but I do have a daft alias as you can see 'Norseman' - but then I am one of the million Dave's (I once worked in an eight man gang with seven Dave's). The other handy thing is I get to avoid posting my photo (I'm not really a lover of them).

Dave

[irishcarguy]

Hi Will, welcome to Mayhem, I personally don't mind the handles. A friend that looked after my computer gave me mine. Irish because thats what I am,& Carguy because that is what I do, simple name for a S--M---LE  Guy . Mick B.

[dodgy geezer]

Indeed. Sometimes a handle can say a lot more about you than a straight given name...