The paint coatings on the underside of the fore cabin top and fore deck had ‘crazed’ over a large area. It looked as if it was deep penetrated to the wood (ply) surface. It needed attention.

So, after moving to a club berth where we had a power supply, we set to work.

A large area on the underside of the fore deck was stripped back to bare wood first. During this operation, I noticed that the original coatings from when the boat was built 39 years ago were seemingly sound.

This was also found on the underside of the cabin top, however, stripping back continued. The original pink primer (long out of manufacture) was still well adhered.

As I moved aft with the hot air gun and scraper, Christobel inserted herself under the fore deck with 80 grade and 120 grade sanding paper…

She’s a grand boat mate!

Later, all was hit with 180 grade.

The mess was horrendous, however, the old sheets spread around collected most of the falling debris. Paint chippings and dust still managed to penetrate far beyond!

I had toyed with applying a 2-part epoxy type base coat but reverted to ‘old fashioned’ practice with two coats of metallic primer, the first thinned a little for penetration.

Strangely, neither International or Hempels (Blakes) now do such primers, relying on a one pot primer/undercoat product. I don’t like this!

Having applied the base coats, the job was left a couple of days … fitting in a walk in glorious countryside west of Maldon.

Back on the job, mainly me, alone, as coat after coat was applied, three coats of International OneUp was used – the trade name of their latest reincarnation of the one pot does all – before applying the first coat of gloss.

A light sand with a fine sanding paper was carried out between coats. Ater the first gloss was applied, the varnish work was checked for paint ‘splashes’ sanded again where required, cleaned and coated.

For the varnishing, I used a mix of Hempels Favourite and their matt internal finish. The matt is far too matt! The mix I have worked up to is 5/8 gloss to 3/8 matt. It seems to work…

Both are alkyd products and seemed to mix together.

In the middle of this job, I also hard sanded the starboard shear strake, touched up bare areas and finally complete coated. Mud walking boards were used for this!

A job is now saved from the list when we go onto the club’s hard soon to scrub and antifoul – another of my mate’s favourite activities…

Finally, after what seemed n age, yet a little over a week, the job was completed.

The boat was then thoroughly cleaned out and washed by Christobel. It was done in two stages – I kept out of the way on a club work party for the final part in the main cabin!

I have to say, I spent a couple of hours the previous day clearing the way…

While cleaning the deck head in the loo compartment, the mate discovered some loose paint – well it came away during her cleaning ‘binge’…

Ah well, so another area awaits.

It is relatively small, but the mate said, ‘…if you make a mess, you can clear it up…’

Fair comment!

Next week, she’ll be under Whimbrel’s bottom…