One of the less attractive aspects of a nice varnished wooden boat is the sheer amount of sanding required to get a good varnished finish.The good thing is that I don't do it so thoroughly every year but this year she did really need it. So as we have some rather nice weather at the moment I have taken a couple of days out of my busy schedule to get to grips with the task.
It has actually been very theraputic and even good exercise! Sanding a boat is not such a difficult task and it leaves the mind free to drift and wander and wonder and imagine and I even found myself begining to find answers and ideas for work and study. In the midst of it all I found I was communing with God in prayer, It was a most mentally, emotionally and spiritually refreshing experiance, even if the body did complain about it afterwards!
I still have a bit left to do (all the fiddly bits) and then some regluing of the port side seat slats to the mid point support and then she can be revarnished and if this weather holds out until next weekend then I might just succeed in getting the varnishing done.I am aiming to get her ready for the April 5th for the coaching weekend at Middle Nene sailing club. I think it can be done ok.
3 comments:
Great blog, nice boat. I'm an old sailor from Michigan. Started sailing ice boats in the '50's..the need for speed...don ya know? Then moved up to a waterborne C Scow then to a Flying Dutchman. My brother and I bought the Irish olympic team's FD 501 boat sailed in the 1960 Olympics. Sailed it for a few years until it was ruined in a tornado in '65. I now as putter with a '54 Chris Craft utility
wooden boat and love all boats made of wood. Nothing like a wooden boat experience.
Taking a break from your busy schedule??? whatever! more like avoiding your other work... not that you do that much now do you Dad? :p
Although it is far more important than studying obviously...
Dearest Daughter,
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,
a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
So the season is spring and thus its obviously the time to prepare the boat for the sailing season!
Get with the program!
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