More yard work and a diversion

Managed to get most of the sides ready for primer and went at it for a couple of days. The primer is a 2 part epoxy and must be mixed in small batches to prevent it setting up prior to all of it going on. This also means that once you start putting a batch on there is no stopping as all of the rollers, trays, etc. will be hard epoxy in an hour or so.

 

We finshed off a gallon of primer and decided that it was too late to get started mixing another and continuing. The primer is a high solids type which is very thick and difficult to mix. The base must be mixed thoroughly, the activator must also be mixed thouroughly and then the two must me mixed together. The two parts are more than 50% solids, so initial mixing is a long slow process. When we have the rest of the sides prepared, we will finish the front and ama on the starboard side. We felt like we were due for a little break at this point, so we took a little train trip on Amtrak.

We went to Denver by train and visited my sister Denyse in the mounains north west of Denver. Saw some elk and other wildlife, but mostly wanted our bodies to recuperate for a bit. The train trip was pretty nice, we got a sleeper cabin and had all our meals served in the dining car as part of the deal. it took a day and a half to get there, but we were all about relaxing at that point. The trip back was by air, and of course they cancelled our flight for mechanical reasons and set us up in a hotel for the night. Next day bright and early we made the trip home without further incident.

We returned to the boat yard somewhat rejuvenated and decided to paint the final coat on the inside surface of the amas, and complete the deck repair.

I finished the glasswork on the front deck and faired it a bit. It is now ready for some primer, so we will gear up for that in the next couple of days. I am in the process of making a template of the front of the deck so that I can have the bow roller extended to attach the head stay chainplate at the front instead of bolting it throough the deck. the forward end will extend off the bow. The main source of the deck rot was poor sealing of the bolt holes for the cleat and the roller, so no holes = no leaks. Have also begun replacing the front hatch, as it is huge and rotten and faces aft, which will be no good for ventilation in warmer climes. I have a regular boat hatch which is smaller and lighter and as the added benefit of not being rotten. I have removed the frame for the old hatch and will be attaching stringers to fit the new one along with some plywood to fill the gaps.