MERRY CHRISTMAS 2007
It’s been a long spell since I updated this blog. We went thru some frustrating times and I could not bring myself to keep on with “still grinding”. Seems like we ground on the hull forever. Some friends, Rob and Becky, finally gave us a huge gift and came and helped us. Rob came several times, which got us over the hump and got us to the point where Walt could finish the finish grinding. That was sometime late September. Then we hired Alison Mazon, a surveyor to tell us how to proceed with the blister repair. Alison measured moisture levels in the fiberglass and recommended a waiting period to let the hull continue drying out, then based on recommendations from industry peers, she said that two layers of fiberglass mat and epoxy, plus a minimum of 5 coats of an epoxy barrier coat, then 2 coats of good bottom paint. That should bring the bottom of the hull to blister free condition for a period of at least 10 years.
While waiting for the bottom to continue to dry out, we continued other repairs in process. The weather in late September and early October were unseasonably warm, so we decided to paint the topsides with Interlux Perfection a 2-part epoxy paint. We rolled and tipped the first coat, sanded, then after recommendations from another “boatyarder” just rolled the second coat, early in the day. It looked great, but the next morning it was cloudy. The evening’s dew affected the finish of the paint. Another coat yielded the same results. We decided to follow the example of the other “boatyarder” and purchased a very large tarp, 40’x60’ and with PVC greenhouse framing (supplied by friend, Rob) we tented the whole boat. Was wonderful! Light, roomy and best of all, kept the moisture off the hull. The last coat, just rolled (not tipped off) came out beautiful, with a sprayed like finish. Even the professionals from the yard said it looked great, no better praise could we ask for!
Then the first of the winter storms blew in. With 60 mph gusts, our pvc frame splintered, fractured and collapsed. What to do? Build another frame, this time out of wood. After several days, we were back working on the boat in our light and roomy tent. We then decided since we were here until probably Spring, we might as well tackle some of the projects we planned to do after we were out of the yard such as installing the new Lewmar hatches we purchased on ebay; replace the stem head fitting for the anchor system and install a new Maxwell windlass, and remove and replace the back stay chainplate; install the 2 new stainless tanks for the water and sewage systems.
So….here we are, still in the boatyard, still working on the boat, with dreams of sailing soon….. But first, let’s all celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!
It’s been a long spell since I updated this blog. We went thru some frustrating times and I could not bring myself to keep on with “still grinding”. Seems like we ground on the hull forever. Some friends, Rob and Becky, finally gave us a huge gift and came and helped us. Rob came several times, which got us over the hump and got us to the point where Walt could finish the finish grinding. That was sometime late September. Then we hired Alison Mazon, a surveyor to tell us how to proceed with the blister repair. Alison measured moisture levels in the fiberglass and recommended a waiting period to let the hull continue drying out, then based on recommendations from industry peers, she said that two layers of fiberglass mat and epoxy, plus a minimum of 5 coats of an epoxy barrier coat, then 2 coats of good bottom paint. That should bring the bottom of the hull to blister free condition for a period of at least 10 years.
While waiting for the bottom to continue to dry out, we continued other repairs in process. The weather in late September and early October were unseasonably warm, so we decided to paint the topsides with Interlux Perfection a 2-part epoxy paint. We rolled and tipped the first coat, sanded, then after recommendations from another “boatyarder” just rolled the second coat, early in the day. It looked great, but the next morning it was cloudy. The evening’s dew affected the finish of the paint. Another coat yielded the same results. We decided to follow the example of the other “boatyarder” and purchased a very large tarp, 40’x60’ and with PVC greenhouse framing (supplied by friend, Rob) we tented the whole boat. Was wonderful! Light, roomy and best of all, kept the moisture off the hull. The last coat, just rolled (not tipped off) came out beautiful, with a sprayed like finish. Even the professionals from the yard said it looked great, no better praise could we ask for!
Then the first of the winter storms blew in. With 60 mph gusts, our pvc frame splintered, fractured and collapsed. What to do? Build another frame, this time out of wood. After several days, we were back working on the boat in our light and roomy tent. We then decided since we were here until probably Spring, we might as well tackle some of the projects we planned to do after we were out of the yard such as installing the new Lewmar hatches we purchased on ebay; replace the stem head fitting for the anchor system and install a new Maxwell windlass, and remove and replace the back stay chainplate; install the 2 new stainless tanks for the water and sewage systems.
So….here we are, still in the boatyard, still working on the boat, with dreams of sailing soon….. But first, let’s all celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ!
