Time to start this years jobs

[Daveanmucker]

Well the time I have been waiting for since October came round, time to go and check Dark Island out see how she has survived the winter on her own.

Don't know about anyone else but it is always a time when I look forward to but feel a bit apprehensive about what I will find.

Suppose if you live near enough to check your boat out from time to time it won't be a problem, but when you leave her for 4 months it is an anxious trip up to Oban next week hoping all will be well.

Intend to fetch my dodgers and sprayhood back for a bit of repair and cleaning.

Was thinking this year of stripping my Anti fouling right off, anyone any advice? I have had enough jobs in my time that played hell with my chest, fancy getting it done for me, but not sure what is the best process.

[Silkie]

I'm in the same boat (sorry) since I haven't seen Silkie since she was lifted out.

I stripped all her bottom paint off the first winter and IIRC I just used a selection of ordinary scrapers but quite a lot of hard work even with a wee boat. There are some fancy scrapers that people recommend and some electric ones too.

Perhaps an expert will be along in a minute.

[ash]

Was thinking this year of stripping my Anti fouling right off

SWMBO and I stripped the antifouling on a Leisure 17 (twin keel - sitting on a trailer) right back to the gelcoat when I repainted the topsides. It was hard work. I tried chemical gel but that only took off some of the thickness, though I believe that it made the remaining thickness very brittle such that it could be chipped off with a 1" wood chisel.

Ash

[puddock]

I had Rosally's bottom stripped ( ) using a slurry blast. Left a nice "eggshell" finish, ready for fresh primer and anti-foul. A little pricey but it was a quick, efficient way to get rid of many years worth of build up. It will also, hopefully, make future clean up and repainting much simpler.
By the way Silkie, I had a walk around "Silkie" a couple of times on the days I was up doing some work on Rosally during January and she looks happy enough - nothing untoward.

[Silkie]

TFT but it's the "known to be currently deteriorating" or "potentially dodgy" bits that only an owner knows about that are of most interest.

[Alcyone]

It's grim up North.

Waiting for the ice to melt, before the hurricane season starts.

Down here on the Welsh riviera, it's baking hot. We've clocked up 250 miles this season and I'm off out for another sail all day in a few minutes. The hawthorns are out, a sure sign of spring, and the muddy brown waters of the Bristol channel will be glinting in the sunlight, except where the rafts of logs, trees and old fridges float, naturally.

[Telo]

I was starting to feel jealous - until you mentioned the Bristol Channel.

Antifouling tomorrow and hopefully in water next week........

[Alcyone]

Well, we clocked up nearly 50 miles today, a cracking sail. Force 3/4 Easterly, out and back with the tide, azure blue skies, even if the water is muddy brown.

Yes, the Bristol Channel is hard work, but I'm a beginner, in terms of sailing. I figure if I can sail here, there are a lot of other places that should be a hell of a lot easier. And there are a lot of really nice folk sailing here.

I am jealous of those of you in Scotland, I've always loved the West coast. Maybe one day we'll do a charter up there. I feel St Kilda calling again........

[Alcyone]

Bristol Channel, Yesterday: