Search found 534 matches

by Stephen Hawkins
Tue Jun 29, 2010 11:31 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Merlin Rocket 950 - Time for a rub down
Replies: 11
Views: 2855

Re: Merlin Rocket 950 - Time for a rub down

Well, I did wipe her down with white spirit and the let it dry the night before and then put a cover over her and she got another wipe down in the morning. Perhaps I should have done it again, with something like acetone that morning before I started, thereby not leaving such a gap between wipe down...
by Stephen Hawkins
Tue Jun 29, 2010 10:03 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Merlin Rocket 950 - Time for a rub down
Replies: 11
Views: 2855

Re: Merlin Rocket 950 - Time for a rub down

Chris, I hear what you are saying. It really goes against the grain though, but okay, I'll just put the gear on and give it a few weeks on the water. But its sooooooo difficult to do. I do not like the current finish of the deck - it is definately not something I want to be showing off. But I am not...
by Stephen Hawkins
Tue Jun 29, 2010 8:41 am
Forum: Boat maintenance, repair and restoration
Topic: Merlin Rocket 950 - Time for a rub down
Replies: 11
Views: 2855

Merlin Rocket 950 - Time for a rub down

All, Time to discuss the rising of 950 in the appropriate place - Boat maintenance repair and restoration. I propose to rub down the deck of 950 tonight, in preperation of a thinned coat of varnish, tomorrow evening (a full 72 hours) and then again the following evening. It will have been only 48+ s...
by Stephen Hawkins
Mon Jun 28, 2010 12:00 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950
Replies: 52
Views: 13747

Re: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950

I can appreciate the dust and insects, I was pulling them out with tweezers between coats. But this is not just dust. Its too bad for that. And the stuff was going of so quickly the insects only had 20 mins to find the boat and to get themselves attached to it. Too hot on Sunday - but at least the f...
by Stephen Hawkins
Mon Jun 28, 2010 10:16 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950
Replies: 52
Views: 13747

Re: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950

Here are some pictures:

http://www.suraklyn.com/r65_forum_galle ... cat=10013/

Hopefully it'll work.

But here is a picture below - but I will have to pull it in a day or so - its to big really
by Stephen Hawkins
Mon Jun 28, 2010 9:27 am
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950
Replies: 52
Views: 13747

Re: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950

Well, as stated with the items wanted thread the G4 finish is a bit 'gritty'. I suspect that the deck was too hot when I applied some of the coats. And it went off to quickly and unevenly. I started at 8 in the morning with the first coat! Doh! But the boat was outside. Recomendations? Can I flat it...
by Stephen Hawkins
Mon Jun 28, 2010 8:20 am
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Merlin Rocket bits - 950
Replies: 39
Views: 15760

Re: Merlin Rocket bits - 950

All, As far as the kicker is concerned I can see it is a bit of 'marmite' setup - you either like it or hate it. And as far as this project is concerned, I am hoping to operate the Merlin 'as is'. So I will give it a chance.....A stay of execution, as it where. I am still trying to get her ready for...
by Stephen Hawkins
Sun Jun 27, 2010 7:40 pm
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Merlin Rocket bits - 950
Replies: 39
Views: 15760

Re: Merlin Rocket bits - 950

Well, 4 coats of G4. However I think the heat of today has affected the G4, is it seem a bit 'gritty'. Great for a non slip finish, but not so good on deck. However I think I will be able to flatten down and varnish it later in the week when it has hardened off. I also stepped the mast today and got...
by Stephen Hawkins
Fri Jun 25, 2010 4:11 pm
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Merlin Rocket bits - 950
Replies: 39
Views: 15760

Re: Merlin Rocket bits - 950

Cant upload a piccy

"Sorry, the board attachment quota has been reached."

Sorry

Steve H
by Stephen Hawkins
Fri Jun 25, 2010 3:29 pm
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Merlin Rocket bits - 950
Replies: 39
Views: 15760

Re: Merlin Rocket bits - 950

I'll try and get a picture of it uploaded this weekend. Its in a pile down the side of the house, as I have been more focused on the deck. However the top diamond wires seem quite slack. So it will be out with the wd40 and then a general clean of the mast and boom and tighten up and retape of the wi...
by Stephen Hawkins
Fri Jun 25, 2010 8:49 am
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Merlin Rocket bits - 950
Replies: 39
Views: 15760

Re: Merlin Rocket bits - 950

I vaguely recall where you are, as I dropped by once some years ago for some old tuffnall bits and bobs. You will probably be knackered by the time you get home on the weekend, whether you are sailing or supporting the event? One evening will be fine, but I can drop by early next week if it is more ...
by Stephen Hawkins
Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:32 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950
Replies: 52
Views: 13747

Re: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950

Deck stripped. Had some paint stripper left over and its all off now. The sanding last night helped. Tommorrow, it will be an evening with a cool beer and a sanding block prepping for the G4. Smoothing out the ridges and sorting out those odd corners. Might even fix the gunnel - shamfer in a bit of ...
by Stephen Hawkins
Thu Jun 24, 2010 9:22 pm
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Merlin Rocket bits - 950
Replies: 39
Views: 15760

Re: Merlin Rocket bits - 950

Rupert,

I would love to.

This weekend sometime?

I have some sanding to do tomorrow.

Cheers

Steve Hawkins
by Stephen Hawkins
Thu Jun 24, 2010 4:11 pm
Forum: Boats and bits wanted
Topic: Merlin Rocket bits - 950
Replies: 39
Views: 15760

Re: Merlin Rocket bits - 950

Oh, and I need a boat cover.........Fnurk! I expect I will have to buy that one meself. Its finding one that will fit an old Merlin. Shopping list: 1. New Boat Cover - £200 2. New bungs - Pennies 3. New bouyancy bag - £30 4. G4 £36 inc postage 5. Better stop this or i'll get depressed..... Cheers St...
by Stephen Hawkins
Thu Jun 24, 2010 1:18 pm
Forum: Boat Chat
Topic: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950
Replies: 52
Views: 13747

Re: Moving Quickly Along - Merlin 950

Well it sounds it might be 3 or 4 coats of G4 on the bare decks, see if I can live with the finish, if I can, put her back together and take her sailing for the rest of the summer. Varnish later when I can get the time. If not, a couple of coats of varnish should do the trick. Timing is the issue - ...