Larry,
If you were ever to be in my barn, you would West System all over the place. I have been a Gougeon bros. fan for years (over 30). All their "How To" books are on the shelf behind me as I type. I don't take them out into the shop because if I have to read them there, it will be too late. I always have a spare set of pumps on hand. I used to (when times were rolling) buy at least one of the 5 gallon jugs of 105 a year. With the work I usually do, I much prefer the 206 hardener because big jobs or vacuum bag jobs tend to require more time.
There are a few things I use that I don't buy from my whole sale West supplier because those are things West does supply. Those three are styrene beads (cheaper than microlite and make a nice wood color), glass bubbles for very light but strong fillets (are more difficult to use than their filleting blend) and vinegar for cleaning up. All have preferred applications that normal people would never get involved with.
The boat work part of my life is pretty much over. The depression of 2009 pretty much shut off the discretionary spending that sailboats require here in Michigan. I didn't often go very far, but when I did, I had my office, meeting room, library, tool crib, electronic instrument shop and occasional restaurant and motel right there with me. After that is when I discovered the real joy of having the coach. Because coverage was poor at the marinas and boat yards, I had a 3werp repeater and the phone always worked. I also carried a printer/scanner that could run on a 60w inverter. I still have that and it does go with us sometimes. We always have a laptop (now on the third). Some things do carry on.
Matt
