| Offshore Foolishness |
CategoryProgression - Restoring a Merlin RocketThe project becomes a Project!Finally managed to start stripping the varnish earlier this week - 4-5 planks either side of the hull from the centre board case. It took about a daays work but the port side is now completly stripped bare and reveals the true state of things; most of the seams have been stuffed full of silicon sealant and then taped on the outside in mis-judged attempt to stem the leaks by a previous owner. The Skipper is devising a tool based on an old screw driver to clean out the sealant which although not keeping the water out is impervious to the varnish stripping chemicals!We also removed some of the paint on the outside last night around one of the offending seams. Under it we found a layer of filler, the surrounding plywood is rotten & delaminating. Suddenly Progression has become a Big Project with a plank in need of replacing. Paint & varnish is my cup of tea and the Skipper believed he could tackle re-gluing the seams with advice & assistance from fellow Minima YC members. It was all a bit depressing so we resorted to taking a club Enterprise (GRP and virtually maintenance free) out for the Handicap racing. There is plenty of advice though and this gives us hope that this old boat might once more take to the water before the season is out! 2:48 PM - Jun. 14, 2007 - post comment
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Description When you reach a certain age and have done more than a few offshore races the time comes to look for a little more comfort.  Home User Profile Archives Recent Entries - Happy New Year - End of the Line - The project becomes a Project! - eBay: Not Exactly Where You'd Look for a Classic Boat... - Its been a while |