A Flow Coat

Woo-Hoo!!!!

Greg finally decided to do something different. After months (yes, months!) of sanding and fairing, Greg decided that enough is enough. We flow coated the boat yesterday. When I went over there, I was expecting another round of sanding and fairing, so I didnt take the camera. (Like Ive said countless times, there are only so many sanding and fairing pics I can take.)

One of our concerns was epoxy runs. In order to address this, we thickened the epoxy ever so slightly with just a touch of wood flower. It seems to have worked, but we wont know for sure until after the epoxy dries. Wish us luck.

Read More..

A Snails Pace

Once were done with this project, I certainly hope that the boat goes through the water faster than were progressing on the boat. It was two and a half months ago that I declared us "almost done" preparing the hull for painting. In retrospect, I feel like Bush proclaiming an end to major combat in Iraq.

Since saying "almost done," weve done still more sanding and fairing and filling holes, and Im starting to get frustrated. A couple of weeks ago, I asked Greg if we could set the end of 2006 as a goal for flipping the boat. This would require us to be finished sanding, fairing, and priming the hull, and painting the bottom. He said it was doable and we set 12/31/06 as a tentative date for flipping the boat. We pissed away the next two weekends doing more sanding and fairing and quite honestly, Im tired of it. I understand that Greg wants the boat to be perfect, but eventually you need to say "good enough." Part of the issue is that the boat is a huge patchwork of different colors and textures. There are areas where the eye says "this area needs to be filled in a bit more," but the hand says "its perfectly smooth." There is one minor area on the port chine, toward the front, that needs to be touched up, but other than that, I think its ready to prime.

Greg agrees with me in theory, but in practice we end up sanding and fairing when I get over there. Were both tired of the routine and were both failing to see real progress. I think its time to finish up the chine and prime. The primer weve bought is high-build primer, so it will perform two complimentary functions. Because its high-build, it will fill in the smallest flaws, and because a primer coat would make the boat a uniform colors, it would expose any remaining flaws.

Your thoughts?

Read More..

Upper Charles River row

I took the Vireo on its first major cruise of the summer with an 8 mile row up and down the upper Charles River.  Getting it on and off the Rav 4 by myself has become quicker with practice with minimal damage to the rear spoiler through the appropriate application of the seat cushion to take the initial load.  Then lifting from the stern until the bow hits the rear rack. 

The walk down the path was longer than it was when I was 18 years old, and it was steeper too.  But, I was able to portage the boat on my shoulders to the waterfront and begin a 4 mile upstream row against the current.  I am still impressed as to how this boat tracks and went through the current with little resistance.  I saw at least a dozen Great Blue Herons, Eastern Kingbirds, and one Greater Egret, as well as countless Red Wing Blackbirds who were annoyed by my presence, but tolerated the silent craft.  I have still been unable to land a decent fish as the boat does demand attention due to wind and current.  Anchoring would solve the issue. 

When out in these waters, it is hard to believe that civilization is only a short distance away as no houses or cars are visible and barely audible.  I stopped short of rowing around the last bend where I knew the Water Street railroad bridge landing was in Millis.  Along the way I only passed two kayaks and one canoe.  Amazing. 

Having rowed back to rt 27, I then proceded downstream to just past the Rocky Narrows reservation.  People were seen gazing off the rocky outcropping named King Philips Lookout.  Read Nathaniel Philbricks book "Mayflower" for more on King Philip and his rocky relationship with the colonists. 

Around 5:30 PM I turned upstream again and had ample help going back up the path to the road.  All who assist with this boat comment on how it is much lighter than it looks!  Grey Hair and age with a boat that is deceiving has helped on several occasions with getting it reloaded onto the car. 

Cant wait to continue this journey.  Hope to row downstream to South Natick next week.  Hopefully get some assistance coming back to the start and not have to row all the way back to the landing. 

Read More..

A Second First Coat

Last week we saw the results of our first coat of paint and were not pleased. Lots of lines in the paint. Greg decided to sand the paint smooth and start again. This time around, things look better, and weve agreed not to do any more sanding until the second-to-last coat is applied. This way we have a build-up of paint. Next week, another coat.

Read More..

third coat

will add a photo to this one.  third coat is a charm.  Looks almost glass smooth with no drips or runs.  application was epoxy roller tipped off with a brush.  awesome.  It is HOT today almost 90 F which makes an enormous difference in epoxy application. 

More sanding tomorrow and perhaps install skeg while all is upside down and not painted.

Black fly season.  Not much I can do about it. 

three small air bubbles still coming up from the Okoume.  I know that if I apply as the sun is sinking the epoxy would get drawn in rather than blown out.  Not serious, I have since filled the little crater with fairing compound.

Read More..

new coat of paint

I could not stand the look of the latex house paint.  It just did not have the gloss that makes a first class job stand out, and it was very subject to abrasion.  So, today I stripped off the latex and repainted with Hi-Gloss White enamel by Benjamin Moore.  Using a roller, and tipping of with a nice brush yielded an excellent finish that I am sure will give this boat the attention it deserves.  Some wet sanding with 600 grit should yield a first class finish. 

One more coat to go with the varnish, and finishing the interior with a coat of the Kirbys battleship grey should give me a finish that is easy to sweep out or wash off.  Also need to finish sealing the seats. 

Read More..