"Del Rawlins" wrote in message
...

I'm building my Bearhawk for exactly the use you propose: Flying the
Alaska coast with landings in the salt water. The all-aluminum wings
will be alodined and primed prior to assembly, and the steel tube parts
will be either powder coated or epoxy primed and then covered with
modern polyester fabric. I don't anticipate any problems over and above
what you would expect from an all-aluminum airplane. I will most likely
be in my mid to late 30s when I finish it, and I expect to pass it down
to my kids someday.

I remember when I was in my mid 30's and landed at Half Moon Bay; just
because it was mentioned as an alternate airport in "The High and the
Mighty". My buddy and I were stretching our legs walking the tiedowns when
we came across what could have been a nice looking Cessna 170 B. The tires
were low on air and the windows were clouded with age. Sitting in the salt
air next to the Pacific Ocean had evidently taken its toll.

I bent to avoid the flap and tried to peer in the cabin, but the Plexiglas
obscured my view. I happened to look up at the underside of the wing and
noticed a mold spot on the paint. I pointed it out to my flying partner
while pressing my forefinger on the spot. It went through the aluminum up to
my knuckle, making a ragged 3/4" hole in the skin.

What a shame. Oh - not the airplane. It's a shame that it was thirty years
ago. I suppose youth is being wasted on Del, just like it was on me. At
least I take a whiz every morning at 6:00 and a dump at 7:00. I just wish I
could get out of bed before 8:00.

Rich