Well, managed to find some time, and we are starting to consider a routine where I might try to talk the admiral into letting me work a couple of hours a couple of nights a week. Pics below show the results of two such nights, where I literally only spent 2 hours at a whack. When organized, you can get a lot done in 2 hours. Early last week I got out to the boat and got the starboard cabin top stripped, sanded, cleaned, masked and the Kiwi-Grip applied. Yup... 2 hours...
I learned a few things on this outing with the Kiwi-Grip non-skid. First off, when applying it in cooler weather, you have more time to get the tape off the edges, but the slower cure time leaves a softer texture. It should still be grippy enough and you cannot tell with your eyes, but you can definitely tell with your hands. Application at about 80 degrees leaves a very rough, almost sharp texture, while 10-15 degrees cooler leaves more open time and there is a noticeably softer feel to the hand. I think I prefer it from a lounging on deck standpoint, and have a hunch the warmer application will end up smoothed over a little to a similar texture under use. Again, it is NOT noticeable to the eye.
Second thing I learned is that in very tight areas where the roller will not work, the flat edge of a foam brush pressed hard and lifted quickly leaves a similar texture that is hard to discern from the roller texture. this information will come in handy for others using Kiwi-Grip in narrow tight confines where the roller cannot be used. I still intend to go buy a wooden dowel and fashion a very narrow texture roller from a scrap of the supplied texture roller, but just know the foam brush trick works good in very tight areas.
Last night I got out there and replaced a faulty float switch in the shower sump, ( I know, it could have waited but it was bugging me!). I discovered it winterizing the plumbing, as the shower sump would fill up without automatically draining. Yes, I had gone ahead and filled the plumbing system upon completion, certainly to test for leaks but also just to see how it would work! I suspect the extreme high heat in my shop this last summer messed it up somehow, and if I have to sit through another, I will leave the sump pump off and lift the water level in the sump to help keep the switch from suffering the extreme heat.
Also last night I carried the sliding hatch back up the ladder, (HEAVY!) and got it and the sliding rails reinstalled. This is a key event, as I have been very annoyed at the amount of dust I was getting into the cain with the hatch off. Now I can close her back up while working on the non-skid with less fear and concern over dust getting in. The re-installation of the wooden rails was tricky, as I had to basically pre-install every screw through the deck with a little cone of butyl tape in the countersunk holes. The good thing was that the butyl held the screws in place and made the railing easier to line up single-handed.
I am moving slower on the project now, literally baby-steps, but as I look at it, the scope of work to be completed prior to pulling her out of the shop is limited to finishing the non-skid and polishing up the white gel coat. That is a good feeling.
In terms of items to be completed post shop-removal, I still want to re-cut and re-upholster the interior, to better accomodate the seating plan changes I made. This will requrie some new foam, and I am shopping. I have pretty much decided on using one of the sueded-leather/bomber-jacket looking microfiber materials, combining easy care, breathability and a more contemporary look. This can be done after we launch, and I probably should wait until then. The upholstery lady I intend to use has had knee replacement, and it will be easier on her to have the boat in the water.
I also need to finish rigging a boom vang, as well as either installing a boom kicker or an adjustable topping lift. I have a working mainsheet that came with the boat, it is tired and I want to replace it with a newer Garhauer unit to match the rest of the blocks and rigging. The mainsheet tackle can probably wait until last...
Finally, and probably most importantly, I have been trying to get in touch with the PO (moved to Australia) to find out if he knows the history of the current standing rigging, but with recent posts here, i am inclinded to err to caution's side and go ahead and replace the standing rigging, all 8 pieces. It is an unplanned expense, but I would rather be able to hit the water with peace of mind knowing I was taking my family out on a solid boat, where no shortcuts were made. The fact that the headsail is roller furling tells me I want a toggle at the top of the headstay, according to my recent reading on the subject. I understand the logic and now that I understand it, I can see the weak point on the current headstay where the fatigue has been concentrated.
That is all for now, enjoy these few pics.
