CODBLOG21: Time For Some Paint
So that we could get better access, the deck panels were removed (we’d only used “slave” steel screws). These panels were given a coat of primer, inside and out.
At this stage, Gig Jackson brought his years of professional experience to the project together with his old clothes and a variety of sealing materials and got stuck in!
Inside the boat we wanted it painted up to the stringer level and a “woody” effect above that. We are using Danish oil on the bare wood rather than varnish as it should give better protection, provided its maintained. In the bilges we painted, firstly in primer and then with “Danboline” bilge paint in a nice red colour.
There are two types of primer from International Paints — Yacht Primer for the topsides and Primacon for below the waterline. Trying to do the job properly we chalked out the waterline using Kandahar for reference measurements. The theory was that we would paint the Primer and the Primacon at the right levels. The problem is, once painted, it all looks the same and now we need another line!
Sealing the gaps between the planks has always been a worry. With so long out of the water, the wood has shrunk and the gaps between seem horrendous. We have been assured that this is normal and the planks will take up once water is added. We hope!
Traditionally, the caulking is done with a cotton string with putty softened with linseed oil. We have gone for a more modern solution which is a polyurethane adhesive/filler called “Tigerseal” which has been used successfully on other COD’s in the fleet. Its main use is for the Motor Trade and in particular, Rally Teams to secure body panels and screens etc. but for us the main advantages are that it can be sanded down but still remains pliable enough to be squeezed when the planks expand in the water. For the wde gaps, the proper cotton caulking was used as well as the Tigerseal. After 24 hours it could be sanded down.
At this stage we wanted to start getting the planks to take up some water and the technique is to lay blankets (or in our case, old curtains) in the bottom of the boat and soak them. The hosepipe wouldn’t reach so it was by bucket into the bilges — and then watch the shower underneath!
We’ve been doing this operation for about a week now and each time the leakage is a little bit less — so it seems to be working. Keeping fingers very much crossed!
