Suppliers and Tools

Here is the list of suppliers that I've used:

Noahs Marine Supplies: Great place! I highly recommend buying your supplies from them. Ask for Ric. They have both U.S. and Canadian distribution points and can ship to just about anywhere in the world. In fact I went to a couple of local marine shops for prices, but found out that all of them get their own supplies from Noah's, so I ended up going to the main source. Noahs supplies me with all the CoreCell, EAST System Epoxy, fiberglass, vacuum bagging supplies and just about everything else used for the boat structure. I have been driving down to Toronto ( about a 5 hour drive each way ) to pick all the stuff up, but I think from now on I'll have all the heavy stuff ( Corecell and epoxy ) shipped to me instead.

Precourt Systems: I'll be using synthetic rigging and the best place I've found is from Precourt Systems. They already have premade kits available for most of the Farrier designs which can also be used for other sail boats. I've already received a pair of bottom deadeyes which I'll be using to test fit the carbon chainplates I'll be making soon. The deadeyes are a great example of high quality workmanship. Definitely recommended. Ian Farrier also recommends Precourt Systems for synthetic rigging and comes standard on the new F-33.

The bottom deadeyes I received from Precourt Systems. I'll be ordering the rest of the kit soon.

Home Depot: Not the best prices but it is where I get all my lumber, MDF, screws, bolts and other associated bits and pieces. It's also the closest home hardware store ( 8 mins ) to me and it does have nice long hours so that's in its plus side as well.

That's it for suppliers so far. As I get further along in the build process, I'm sure I'll be adding to this list. And I haven't even started shopping for the boat's fitout yet...

Here is the list of tools I'm using:

Mastercraft 18V Drill: Like the Skillsaw, this drill has worked great. In fact, when Canadian Tire had it on sale again, I brought a second one. I recommend that you have at least two cordless drills as I'm constantly switching drill bits to drill pilot holes then switching to the screw bit. Also, try and make them the same so you can share the same batteries.

Skillsaw: I'm amazed it's lasted this long. I built the fence, shed and strongback with it as well as cutting up many sheets of 3/4" MDF - all using the same blade. At one point I accidentally cut through the power cord, but I just taped it back up and it works fine.

Mastercraft Spinsaw: Initially thought it worked well, but after one month of use, that opinion has changed. The two speed setting no longer works - it seems stuck in the slow speed. The router attachment ( as seen in the picture ) broke - it has plastic(!) threads that adjust the height of the router and those both wore out. I'm going to send it in for repair. Should be interesting to see how well Canadian Tire supports it's MasterCraft line.

5 Gallon ShopVac: Initially, I was disappointed with it - but now it seems to be working better. If buying again, I would buy one that's (at least) twice the size and power.

Bestech SV140 Rotary Vane Vacuum Pump: Still need to actually use it. Will give my impressions of it after a couple of vacuum bagging sessions.

Bosch 5" Random Orbital Sander: I initially brought a RYOBI sander but after one use exchanged it for the Bosch. The Bosch sander is far better! Recommended.

Makita 3"x24" Belt Sander: I love it! Recommended.

I have other tools which I'll add here as I use them more.