Grinding the Keel

On March 26, I spent a brutally cold afternoon grinding away on the keel.  The trusty 8" random orbit sander continues to impress me as having been a good purchase.  My goal was to finish removing the anti-fowling paint from the keel, and then do some light grinder fairing of the fiberglass work on the keel-hull joint.  Both of these objectives were met, and I'm very pleased with the results.  The smooth glass work looks a million times better than the messy 3M 4300 job it replaced.

The only thing I'm debating now is whether or not to repair the minor, but long stress cracks in the gel coat right above the keel-hull joint.  They run almost the length of the keel on the port side.  All are tiny spiderweb sized lines which I think the barrier coat would fill.  Interestingly, there are no cracks at all on the starboard side.  I have requested an estimate from the composites specialist at my boat yard.  He did amazing work on the topsides and decking, so if the cost is reasonable I may have him do it.

My next project will be to apply fairing compound to the keel-hull glass work and smooth out the fabric texture.  I'm thinking two thin coats ought to do it.  My only problem now is waiting out the battle between Winter and Spring.  Temperatures just aren't quite warm enough for Epoxy, so I'm in an anxious holding pattern.

At the point all I should need to do is re-install the rudder and I'll be ready for barrier-coat.  Now THAT will be a dramatic improvement!

2011 Spring Launch Announced!

I received a letter from my marina's service department today informing me of Ravat's launch assignment.  Any day during the week of May 23.  With that, I have reset the launch countdown on this site.  After last year's totally missed season I have taken a more realistic approach to the refit for this spring.  Primarily I will spend time only on activities critical to making the boat float, or engine run.  I will not be doing any activities which can be performed from the water.  I'm going to make this date!

So what's left to do on that critical path?  Oh, just a few things...

1. The rudder bottom was in rough shape, and showing some signs of fiberglass delamination and fuzzing (technical term!).  I also discovered a small crack on the back of the rudder.  So, some grinding, patching, and fairing will be necessary.  This is almost done as I write this.
2. All through-hulls to be installed (yes, ALL of them are out right now!).  I'm not so worried about the plumbing, but the holes need to be plugged.
3. New instruments must be procured and their transducers installed.  My old instruments were shot, and their transducers are out.  Again, the holes need to be plugged!  I'm researching the use of a 20-degree depth sounder from Airmar to avoid the need for fairing blocks.  That would save me a little time.
4. Mast electronics.  I need to order and install an anchor light (leaning towards the Bebi Owl).  Also need to install the combo steaming/deck light, pull a new VHF wire, and install a new VHF antenna.  Need to get this stuff done before the mast it stepped.
5. Reinstall all stanchions and temporarily install the old life lines.  Yes, they are to be replaced as well, but that's not as important as the other activities.
6. Reinstall all miscellaneous deck hardware.  This includes cleats, mast step, bow casting, and more.
7. Replace steering chain & cable.  The old one is badly frayed and a serious hazard.  This will be easier to do now since the rudder is off the boat.
8. Reinstall the batteries and wire them up.  I'll re-do the electronics later while she's in the water.
9. Install the new graphics on the stern, the NYS registration letters on the bow, and the NYS registration sticker.
10. Barrier-coat hull and rudder, apply anti-fouling.
11. Dig mandatory safety items out of storage and stick them on-board.
12. Buy new dock lines (old ones were scary, and I have no faith in their integrity).

That ought to do it!  Yes, that will keep me busy.  Now, I have some fiberglass to grind...