Don't stress me too much

Now we will also become famous. At least in Grenada. Gold'n, our painter, has organized a video team and grins into the camera. In the background our Katinka, the object he has just finished and explains to the film team what is important. He is not really finished yet, but he wants to do the small detail work in the next few days. The result is impressive and our boat shines in new splendor. More precisely, in Snow-white, which is the name of the color we chose. 

Katinka Snow-white

Of all the colors we could choose from, it was the one that came closest to that of the deck superstructure. And indeed, you can hardly tell the difference. After the paint didn't hold up on the existing primer, the floats were sanded down until the primer was gone. Amazingly, blue tones and blue streaks appeared underneath. Epoxy filler was used to even out various imperfections and sanded smooth again and again. Then the primer was applied. Again, various irregularities were filled with filler and leveled. Then sanded again. Finally, three layers of top coat were applied. All in all, we are very satisfied, even though it took time. Three months from the start of the work to completion was a long time. Surely it could have been done in half the time, but you have to consider the specific characteristics of the Caribbean. "Don't stress me too much!" Towards the back it gets tighter and tighter and what is true for Gold'n is far from true for us. Our neighboring boat wants to enter the water. Unfortunately we are in the way and have to be moved. I ask the manager of the marina who will take the risk, since the paint has to cure for at least 10 days before it can be mechanically stressed. Concerned faces look at me. I just say, "Don't stress me too much." We'll find a solution he then says.

Katinka half ready

The next day, five men stand around the neighbor's boat and ours and survey the situation. Apparently they want to approach the position with the Traveller diagonally from behind, and then hoist the boat sideways away from the position. This will definitely be an exciting story and we are anxious to see how it turns out. We can now start working on the underwater hull to repair the repaired areas on the Coppercoat. After 3 months of standing, the hulls look the same and I clean them with water first. Before we roll up the coppercoat, I wipe the hulls again with thinner. After the waterline is masked off, we'll paint the Coppercoat onto the hull. To do this, we'll need a little luck. Coppercoat doesn't like rain, at least not for the first five days. So we need a rain-free weather window. The Caribbean is currently in the dry season, so conditions are ideal. But unfortunately the weather does not keep to the agreement. Again and again there are more or less abundant downpours. In between 20 knots of wind, which blows away even every plastic foil on the hull. All in all not good conditions. The weather forecasts are not very precise either, so the whole thing will be a lottery again. But we'll worry about that next week. For now, we'll just finish the preparations for painting and Gold'n will have to move all his stuff out from under the boat so that we have enough room to move. 

Construction site

With a pot life of 45 minutes, you can't run roller coasters too, you have to be quick. For those who don't know what pot life is, I recommend reading our blog of the same name. We have already made some experiences with the pot life. Otherwise we wish you a nice weekend, fair winds and keep a stiff upper lip. And "Don't stress me too much!"