We had been getting on with the spring maintenance for several weeks, interspersed with sailing on the tide and our over joy, walking. But this year we decided the top sides needed a little attention – mainly because a number of fastening heads had ‘popped’ spoiling the finish!
So, booking a lift out at my club, the good little ship wandered ashore in a pair of slings. A check was made on the centre plate wire bond before settling onto chocks. That achieved my good Mate was let loose with a pressure washer, a new tool which she’d had a go with on our drive, thoroughly enjoying the experience. Strange girl!
Whimbrel in the slings.
Centre plate wire bond…
Ah yes, my Mate gets to play with her new toy…
Another Finesse 24 was lifted the same day, Gypsy, my mooring neighbour. We joined another, Calluna of Dorset, which came out for the winter: her owner has been hard at it bringing his boat back up to a good standard. It is a long time since the Island Yacht Club had two or more Finesse class vessels in the club, let alone two sitting beside each other!
Gypsy and Whimbrel out of their natural element…
Calluna’s owner hard at it applying varnish to his sheer strake.
I had been informed by my insurer that the Lloyds syndicate had asked for a survey to be carried out prior to any renewal in 2017. As the boat was coming out, I booked Alan Staley of Faversham to come over and deal with the need. His final comment made as Gypsy’s owner pulled his cutlass bearing out, was exceedingly nice. ‘A very fine vessel you have…’ Referring to Whimbrel, of course!
Over four glorious days which would have been grand for sailing we knuckled down to some ‘good’ grafting. The Mate has, almost single handedly, dealt with the underwater paintwork, whilst I prepared the topsides and checked rudder fastenings etc.
A game ol’ gel getting down to business…
Topsides prepared ready for stripe coating then a final all over coat…
While all of this has been going on, on our own vessel, another, a big Seaking 32 has been stripped of her paintwork. On Sunday a ‘family’ of two youngish ladies and their menfolk sanded her clean. It was ‘exciting’ to see what were, compared to most around the yard, essentially the future of boating getting down to pure graft.
The Seaking 32 stripped bare.
Up the creek at the Dauntless Boatyard, Mariette has been buffed up and returned to the water under the care of two ex Finesse owners who are ‘borrowing’ Mariette while her owner concentrates on another project (A sailing pallet!). The owner will be using his beloved Finesse during the season too!
Mariette has had a kiss and a cuddle. She’s now back afloat and has been seen sailing by…
Oh yes, those rudder strap fastenings. I check these on a rotational basis.
The one sat below has been replaced for it was suffering from crevice corrosion.
We’re having a day off tomorrow: I’ve and interview to do over in Maldon and also, the final pdf copy (Galley Copy) of Swinging the Lamp landed on my ‘desk’ and it needs dealing with, yesterday!
At last a publication date looms ever closer.