Paint

Well I’m getting ready to lay down some paint. So much work is prep. It will be really rewarding to see some clean painted surfaces on Splendid. The gray in the picture below is primer. I’m painting the doghouse sides with Interlux Brightside “Grand banks beige” and painting the trim with teak colored polyurethane. The Brightside is a 1-part poly. I’m not using the 2-part (Perfection) on wooden surfaces because it has a tendency to crack with varying humidity as the wood expands & contracts. The decks, hull, and super structure (all fiberglass surfaces) will all be painted with Interlux Perfection (2-part) Mediterranean white. I’ve stripped all the nasty cetol off the teak in the cockpit and I’ll be laying down Interlux Schooner varnish and trimming with a matt varnish. I’m really taking my time with Splendid and doing everything right. I may have her for the rest of my life and want her as beautiful as possible. Looking back Splendid really was the perfect boat for me. The rig (masts, booms, standing rigging, sails, and chain plates) are all new with no hours on them. The motor (Perkins 4108) is in great shape with very few hours and was replaced about 10 years ago. Splendid had some soft spots in the house and combing box’s which I’m fixing with epoxy and filler. I’ll have everything above the deck repainted, fixed, and shiny by November. I’m thinking of using Interlux’s Polyurethane non-skid Deck coating on the decks. Either that or using a 2-part Poly and a sand shaker. I want an aggressive non skid and I think the 2-part will last longer and have better grip under foot. If anyone has any experience with non skid, please give me a shout.

My refrigerator & freezer are awesome. The freezer is packed with fish, shrimp, and some ice cream (Tofuitty). I’m not doing much dairy these days and I gave up meat (Red & fowl) a few months ago. I’m really focusing on my physical and spiritual health these days, I feel great!

I’m also feeling really good about my skill level with my boat projects. I have enough knowledge, tools, and supplies to get me through the days. I’m not off to West Marine every few hours and have what I need onboard. I’m going through a lot of sand paper and have a few more months of sanding in front of me. It will all pay off though.

Peace everyone.

Sail far and live slowly.

– Alex