Note: This was written 29/4 but I didn’t manage to go online and I don’t know how to change the date (if you can?!)
After being behind schedule for several days, we’ve nearly caught up – just as well, given that we launch the day after tomorrow!
We spent the best part of a day sanding down the anti-fouling (the green paint below the waterline that protects the keel and bottom of the hull from growth, corrosion, etc.) The green dust flying around got everywhere, even inside my gloves. It takes some scrubbing to get off, and contact with water seems to just spread it around. I went up to the toilet block to clean up before climbing aboard and the mirror reflected back a ghoulish head of green hair! It did wash out later and luckily everyone was too busy cleaning themselves up to take a photo! Painting on a new coat was much less messy, although some green did appear in unplanned places!
Polishing the hull was hard on the shoulders and arms, but very satisfying and my nails have never looked shinier. 40ft of boat is a joy from the point of view of storage and living space. The price is more of everything to maintain, and at times she seems too long as we work our way along the hull wielding polishing and buffing cloths. Tonight’s beer will have been well earned and a shower will be welcome!