Ship Shape

A look at all of the boats in a row, waiting for spring!!

With nice weather just around the corner, we have been busily preparing the boat to go back into the water, set to happen on April 19th!!

For the past two Sundays our crew has made the voyage down to Quincy (Phil has made a few extra trips as well!) to work on Prairie Gold to ensure that everything is ship-shape for the new season.
We started thing off by un-wrapping her. Phil and Dustin were especially keen on this part, like kids with presents!!

Dustin (top) and Phil (below right) carefully yet excitedly unwrap Prairie Gold.

The hull was then taped off, scraped down (Phil did the hard work!), and re-coated with anti-fouling paint below the water line.

Phil geared up to scrape and paint the hull with anti-fouling paint - note the difference between the hull to his left (already scraped) and to his right!!

We also used fiberglass cleaner and wax to clean up and shine above the water line.

Dustin was able to see his reflection after the cleaning and waxing!

Top-side Yolande used some old fashioned elbow-grease (and fiberglass cleaner) to polish up the cockpit area. And Rochelle took a lift up the mast to inspect the stays, lines, and take some photos so that Phil can plan for the spinnaker rigging.

We have also been using this quality time at the boat to make plans and schemes for other things required for offshore cruising that have not been so important for coastal cruising. Some of the issues that we have been working on include life raft and ditch bag stowage spots, and general stowage considerations, locations for fire extinguishers and other safety/first aid equipment, the making of lee-cloths and a cover for the companion way which will be needed for foul seas.