Haul-out 2003

We arranged for the haul at Seabrook on 8/1/03. We also tried to anticipate what supplies we needed:

Porter-Cable 6” random-orbital sander	60 sanding discs 60grit
Extra 6” pad	buffing pad
Stepladder	Dust masks
Paint scraper	Threaded rod
Washers	Nuts
Paint mixer	Lacquer Thinnert
Paint tray 3	Paint Rollers (cheep)
Paint handle	wet-dry vac
Micron extra bottom paint 3 gal	Vac adapter

We left the van at Seabrook Thursday night so we’ll have a ride after the crossing. Patty got Friday off so she came with me across Lake Pontchartrain. We left at 6:00, made the Madisonville Bridge at 7:00. We motor sailed to Causeway north draw and arrived at 9:00. I thought the curfew was over at 9:00 but it lasts until 9:30. We got the 9:30 opening and headed for Seabrook. We haven’t been on this side of the lake since our honeymoon (1988) so I was working out of the charts. We got Seabrook Bridge to open at 12:00. The current coming out of the cannel was interesting, we don’t have hardly any current experience but it wasn’t too bad. Our appointment for haul was at 14:00 and we arrived at 12:15. They waved us into the slip but the travel-lift was full of a sport-fisher so we were to stand by. We fixed lunch and looked for shade. They launched the sport-fisher and we got hauled at 14:30.

After the power-wash we started looking it over. A few blisters were starting to show so I hit the sander to have a look. They were small but wet. I was hoping they would go away on their own but that wasn’t going to happen. Over the weekend Patty was able to help so we tag-teamed on the sander. Because of the blisters we decided to take all of the bottom paint off so we can put on a Barrier coat. The old bottom paint was blue and even with all the protective clothing we both came out blue. After the first couple of days I couldn’t even scrub it all off leaving me with a blue tint, like a Smurf. The sander was cutting well but it was a little heavy. At one point I was laying on the workmate working on the very bottom of the hull. The yard worker thought that was laying down on the job. Also we pulled the prop, and old zincs and drilled an expletory hole in the bottom of the rudder. There was some water between the skin and core of the rudder but I also found a few blister on the rudder too. We also picked up more supplies:

Interlux 2000 Barrier coat 3 gal	3M filler Qt.
Zinc 1” shaft	3M filler Qt.
Zinc 4”	Zinc 5”
Cutless bearing 1X1-1/4X4	Spray Hood

With Patty’s help on the weekend and me working from 6:30 or 7:00 in the morning till 7:00 in the eve the boat was sanded by Thursday. On Friday I started grinding and filling blisters. In the evening I put a coat on barrier coat on the rudder for a test. Man that stuff stinks. Also it ate thru the cheep rollers in about five minuets. The next morning before we got started we picked up a Respirator and better rollers (12). Patty volunteered to put the barrier coat on so we got her dressed and mixed it up. I had to head upwind but with the respirator on Patty couldn’t smell a thing. In-between the coats I was sanding the keel. We didn’t need to strip the keel because we barrier coated it last haul out. Early evening patty was putting on the third coat when I noticed her moving funny. The weather was hot, we both have been drinking lots of water and sports drinks but we had to watch each other’s back. I went into the stink zone and got her attention and pulled off her sunglasses. She was gonzo! I pulled her out of the rest of the paint cloths set her down with some water and took over. Even though she couldn’t smell it the fumes got to her. I grabbed the respirator and finished the coat.

On Sunday we got the first coat of red on, she was starting to look like Camelot again. On Monday I was going to replace two ball valves. The front head valve needed a new thru hull too. So back to the store:

Ball valve 1.5”	plug 1.5”.
Thru hull 1.5”	5200
Plug .75”	ball valve .75”
BIGGER Pipe wrench	Interlux 2000 Barrier coat 1 qt

Also after I got the stands moved I sanded, grinded, filled, barrier, and bottom panted the patches. Final count after the stand patches 341 blisters. On Tuesday put the last coat of bottom paint on and did some touch-up to get ready to launch.

On Wednesday I finished cleaning the boat and ask for an early launch but the yard manager told me that they were going to change the tires on the travel lift. %&#$! The tires on the lift lasted over eleven years but takes it down just when I needed it. But what can you do. So I took the time to wax the sides of the hull. That was a blessing in disguise. I thought the sides were shinny but after the wax it just glowed. I got my launch (8/13/03) at about 1:00 pm. I hit the water at full throttle because the Causeway afternoon curfew is from 3:00pm to 7:00 pm. Got under the Seabrook bridge, thru the fishing boats, called North draw all the while rigging the boat and fighting the current. I made good time but not quite good enough 3:15pm. Called north draw and ask for a 7:00pm opening. A thunderstorm was approaching from the southeast so I stuck my nose into it and idled down just to keep steerage. When the storm hit I got pounded. I was trying to get some dinner, stay dry and dodge crab balls all at the same time. At 6:00pm I turned for the bridge and the storm was just leaving me to dry out. I got the 7:00pm opening and after clearing the bridge I throttled up trying to beat the night. But… The engine gave a sputter so I throttled back. I knew what it was, dirty fuel. Taking a pounding like that mixes any dirt and water up in the fuel tank and into the filters. I was hoping that I could ease into the river under reduced throttle but nogo. I couldn’t keep it running. At least the wind was behind me so I was at least creeping my course. I dove below with a bucket and changed the filter and primed the lines. By the time I got the engine started again it was full dark. I was getting tired and the last thing I needed now was to pick up a crab ball. So I set up the autopilot and set the throttle 1000 rpm. Grabbed the spotlight and stood on the bow searching. I only had to change course once but could you imanagine if I hadn’t stood “ball watch”. Made the river and got an opening of Madisonville bridge at about 10:00pm. I eased into the marina at 11:00 turned for the slip and Patty was waiting there. Cool, I could use the help! All tied up and got a ride back to where we were staying. Sleep was good.