| It is not often one chooses to haul out a sailboat | | | | Scotland Island. |
| in the dead of winter. However, in Sydney's | | | | Under the winter sunshine and beady eye of the |
| benign climate this is not as bad as you might | | | | skipper we began. After thirty minutes sweaters |
| imagine. A friend of mine discovered the growth | | | | were being discarded and everyone was working |
| on his hull by June was excessive, which is only | | | | in shirtsleeves. The water blasting was quite |
| half way through the annual haul out programme, | | | | simple in the end as the weed, whilst bad enough |
| the next one scheduled being the main annual | | | | around the waterline, was much less than |
| spring haul out in October. | | | | anticipated further down the hull, so she was |
| Whether it is the advance of climate change we | | | | cleaned off more quickly than anticipated. |
| don't know. What we do know is that the water | | | | The acid wash (50 - 50 water, acid) had been |
| temperature this winter stayed much warmer | | | | applied and allowing ten minutes or so for drying |
| than normal and much longer than normal. It was | | | | was water blasted off at the same time as the |
| still almost the summer temperature of 18+ | | | | weed growth. Next, the lid comes off the anti foul |
| degrees celsius in the middle of June. This appears | | | | paint and is stirred with an electrical paddle. Tape |
| to have kept the weed growing vigorously and | | | | is applied to the boot topping line in readiness for |
| there was quite substantial growth on the hull, | | | | brushing on the anti foul and polish is being liberally |
| particularly around the waterline. | | | | slapped on the hull above the waterline, let dry |
| With the winter racing series in mind it was | | | | and then buffed up with the electric buffer. |
| decided drastic action was required. So, on a fine | | | | The propeller, whilst the smallest item being |
| and sunny but cool morning in late June the 43 | | | | attacked, was in the worst shape and was badly |
| footer was slipped and work begun. A semi | | | | encrusted with marine growth. The shaft, whilst |
| enthusiastic team of four had been mustered with | | | | not too bad, also needed attention. With all the |
| the object in mind of completing the job as | | | | activity going on around him, the crew member |
| quickly as possible and getting her back into the | | | | assigned this task, with water and wet sanding |
| water. | | | | emery type paper/cloth, worked on methodically |
| The tasks to hand were: Acid wash to clean off | | | | bringing the prop pretty much back to its original |
| scuff marks etc. off the hull, water blast the hull, | | | | shiny and spotless finish - beautiful! |
| apply anti foul to the boot topping and as far | | | | Whilst she was out of the water we took the |
| down the hull as necessary, wet sand the | | | | opportunity to check her running gear. The cutless |
| propeller and shaft, apply polish to and buff the | | | | bearing having been replaced last year was nice |
| complete hull above the waterline. We expected | | | | and tight and no movement in the shaft. We also |
| we would use up most of the day to get them all | | | | took a straight edge to check across the propeller |
| completed, but as we shall see, our industry even | | | | tips that they were all in line. Anodes were about |
| surprised us and we were finished much sooner. | | | | half eroded and would last until the spring haul out. |
| Tools and materials required were: Acid for the | | | | Before we knew it, everything was finished and |
| acid wash, water blaster (supplied by the yacht | | | | we were standing back admiring our handiwork |
| club), masking tape for the boot topping line, anti | | | | (above) - the sandwiches and coffee never |
| foul, electrical paddle for stirring, emery type | | | | tasted better! |
| paper/cloth, polish, polishing rags, electrical buffer, | | | | She had been hauled early that morning. We were |
| scaffold stands and planks. | | | | finished by 1:30pm and congratulating ourselves on |
| Throw in a liberal dose of humour, a thermal bag | | | | our 'Teamwork' with still a good chunk of the day |
| containing hot coffee and sandwiches, and we had | | | | remaining to do other things. |
| a possible recipe for completing the job in time | | | | You can read more about sailboat maintenance |
| for 'splashing' the boat and a quick sail before the | | | | whilst cruising in the eBook 'Voyage of the Little |
| winter sun disappeared below the western bulk of | | | | Ship 'Tere Moana. |