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