Dec 17 2009
For Every Season, Turn, Turn, Turn
We got a jump on our annual “off season” boat work this week when we pulled our 2007 Hunter 36, Bodacious, out of the water for her turn at some tender lovin’ care. Every 2.5 years or so, we pull the boat and inspect the hull, thru-hull valves and keel bolts. The boat gets a fresh coat of bottom paint and is treated to a machine wax job on the hull. Usually, we get started in January. But I pushed it up a month this year because we have several other projects coming in January, weather permitting.
Here we see Colin working the “heavy machinery”. Actually a low speed orbital sander which we apply the wax with and then polish off. It’s a real art not to smear or burn the wax and after 5 years, Colin is a real pro at it. It’s one heck of a shoulder and arm workout!
Last week, Bodacious was the star of the show, taking 1st place in the Parade of Lights boat decorating contest and this week she gets her well deserved spa treatment!
Shout outs to everyone at the Hunter factory. Bodacious is our first boat that came with the factory bottom job of epoxy layer over the gelcoat followed by two coats of antifouling paint. There was minor distress where the keel fin joins the hull but otherwise she was a beautiful sight to see. The paint coverage was still excellent and I attribute this to Mr Green Clean whom keeps her bottom clean with great care on a monthly basis when she is in the water.
January is when we tackle major stainless polishing and varnish any of the wood that needs it. Fortunately, new Hunter sailboats dont have a lot of wood!
