Spring Cleaning

[Jon W.]

I'm just about finished with my annual spring cleaning, and I thought I'd share my method, because I think I achieved excellent results. Of course my attack is geared towards boats about five years old. I used different methods in the past on my 16 year old C25.As I posted in an earlier thread, I hauled the boat and did some routine maintenance and bottom paint on Memorial Day weekend. I also polished the topsides (hull) with Seapower cleaner wax, followed by a coat of Collinite Fleetwax. This weekend I buffed out the Cabin, Shiny deck areas, and windows with "3M Finesse it II", followed by the Collinite Fleetwax. The deck and transom get a lot more sun, and were much duller. I used a 3M superbuff pad on a cordless drill for the Finesse it II. I also used Acetone to clean the rubrail to like new. I've tried less invasive cleaners, but this is the only thing I've found the works. I used Starbrite power cable cleaner on the lifelines, as well as the power cable. I cleaned my Starboard stern rail seats with an oxalic acid cleaner. I also had to sand the edges because they came kind of rough-cut, and picked up a lot of green grunge over the years.My goal is to keep a coat of wax on all gelcoat surfaces at all times. That way, the wax oxidizes, and not the gelcoat. I try to use the least aggressive cleaner's possible that will still do the job. Late in my ownership of the C25, a guy across from me hired professional detailers to clean up his C25 for sail. It was hilarious as I tried to pump them for trade secrets, and they tried to do the same with me, because my boat didn't look it's age at all. All I have left to do is clean and treat the canvas, and I'm good for the summer cruising season. I'm a little late on my spring boat "spit and shine" this year, but It's nice to hear the other boat owners at the dock refer to my boat as the new one.BTW- I think I'll go out for the "Duck Dodge" on Lake Union tomorrow. If you're local, you probably know what that is. I may even take the dodger down

 

[Lauraine3557]

Very pretty, Jon! Our C22 was named

"Summer"... great minds...We've had good luck with 3M professional paste wax. If you have tried it, how does it compare with Collinite. I've been using Collinite Metal Wax on the mast, boom, and stanchions, etc. That stuff is great!

 

[Jon W.]

Wax and race.

I don't know if you caught the full name, its Summer Sojourn. Kinda hard to see.I first heard about the Collinite Fleetwax paste from Practical Sailor magazine. They did a long term test of waxes, and the Collinite was the only one that still shined and beaded water after six months. I get about nine months out of it. A Treewax paste came in second. That test was a while ago, but I think it's still valid. I don't have any experience with the 3M wax, but I use a lot of their other products. I've only been able to get Collinite by ordering online. I had a senior moment, and ended up with three cans. I was de-oxidizing and waxing the cockpit today. Also took my sail and pedestal cover across the street from the dock to the Laundromat. Very handy. Sprayed on some 303 Fabric Guard. Cleaned my dodger Tuesday and then put it down below. I'll spray it when I put it back up.The main reason I took it down was because we raced in the Duck Dodge Tuesday night. I didn't want to race with the dodger up. I retired from this beer can race about ten years ago when I was hit by a port tacker on the starboard layline. I did this very informal race without collision for about ten years, but when your numbers up… $3000 later we were back on the water.So Tuesday was sort of a long overdue return, with the newer boat. I told them my handicap, and that we didn't fly a spinnaker, and that I never raced before (lie), but they wouldn't let me in the slow class. We were pretty happy with the results as it turned out, in the half-fast class.Even if we don't win, we can still look good!

 

[Tim C350 April IV]

Coming out for Catalina Days?

Jon - are you coming out for the Catalina Days racing at Shilshole June 25th and 26th?See more info at the attached link. Very affordable, very fun.Tim BroganApril IV C350 #68Seattle

 

[Jon W.]

Catalina Days

I used to attend every year, but the last time I went was in 2001' I think. I did get the last CAPS newsletter the other day. I was trying to arrange to go this year, but I would need to arrange a dog sitter and/or crew. My regulars can't make it. I'll have to see.