is that a rainbow rrunner????
California Yellowtail. Not a huge one (~10 pounds). Fun story though because I had already taken my wetsuit off for the day, when we came across a huge paddy out of nowhere. So I jumped in wearing speedos, shot the fish, stoned it, got the picture taken, and lept out of the water, all in about 45 seconds. The water was about 70 (HOT for SoCal), and there were some guys from Florida freezing their asses off in 3 mils, looking at me like I was crazy. Fun times.
Oiling before epoxying is a bad idea. It will interfere with the mechnical bond between epoxy and wood. You want to sand and wipe the wood free of oils using acetone, and also use compressed air to blow dust out of the wood pores.
If all you are after is a wet, dark, shiny look, the epoxy alone will provide that, and provide far better sealing from the elements than the oil ever could.
If you don't have the patience to get a perfect epoxy finish (it's somewhat challenging), you could always just go for the oil. However, I don't know how sapele takes to oiling, or what its natural durability is. Even if it is durable like teak or padauk, if you get any scratches in it, it will take sanding to get the surface smooth and attractive again. And that's wood you can't replace, whereas a thick, multi-coat epoxy finish can be replaced. A thicker finish will also let you wet sand with high grit sandpaper for smoothness.
This is my first post here on the new BS-free forum, but I never really introduced myself on the other place anyways. I'm Alex, and I'm a transplant from the East Coast (Virginia). I grew up relatively landlocked, doing apnea and freediving/snorkeling in swimming pools and rivers. I came here on vacation in 2006, and it was my first time swimming in halfway decent visibility, especially in the ocean. Diving and spearfishing were a major impetus for me moving here in 2007 when I got a new job (I'm a research technician at Children's Hospital, soon to be going back to school for my master's).
Diving-wise, I shore and boat dive once or twice a week if I am lucky. Work takes up a lot of my time. I also frequently drive out to freshwater locations to get something new and different. I've literally shot tons of carp, gotten some really nice stripers, and my dive buddy (Daniel) and I have gotten third and second place in the Colorado River tournaments.
My current gun collection:
-Riffe Euro 110X, heavily modified with custom shaft, rigging, and Herranen epoxy.
-Aimrite Venom Pro Competition 90cm, modified as well.
-Homemade 95cm hickory stick
-Mares Californian pneumatic 70cm
-Crist 6-foot polespear with custom band and 18" flopper shaft
-Crist 7 foot polespear with paralyzer
-35" black locust homemade gun (still in progress).
By null at 2010-07-03
By null at 2010-07-03
Shot at 2010-07-05
Shot at 2010-07-05
Shot at 2010-07-05
