I had to make a decision yesterday......she wouldn't fit up in the garage roof (my emergency storage) so rather than put her back outside, I started work with the hope that I can get her weatherproof and ready to sail in a couple of weeks. So far no nasty surprises, and most of the interior varnish is just dirty, but appears mostly sound. I've removed some fittings to strip back where needed to do the worst areas......hoping to get away with doing the top of the box, support brace, thwart and most (probably all) of the decks.
My only area of concern is the starboard bottom panel which shows flaky paint inside and out....the sort that is usually sun damage....not sure yet, and it is pouring with rain at present so can't get on out there. Which reminds me to say that anyone restoring a wide boat in a small garage needs to remember that one needs room to work......something I didn't think of....I can only get round her when she's outside....and also with a bad back it is a long reach when trying to remove stubborn screws!
A couple more pics showing her hull shape better.....and also the rather curious red paint under the fittings.....she seems to have had some internal areas painted red and then stripped back for varnish.....and red overpaint in places makes it look like it was extensive....yet you would never really know it to look at her.....very odd....a mystery I would like to solve.
Hopefully this will not be a long thread and I'll have her sailing soon.......just lucky I have a window of opportunity due to a delay in building work here


