Gel coat again…

[Herschel]

Hi Herschel!

That paint price sounds pretty reasonable actually!
That and your not gonna be on your hands and knees for hours on end as well!
There is something valuable about just that aspect that makes it worthwhile!!!

At some point the cost/benefit analysis favors paying to have certain jobs done vs. the time&pain of DIY.
(I’m already at the point where bending over and kneeling to do all the prep work properly is a significant factor is a consideration.)
At that price it’s worth real consideration!
With the way things are going though with the economy (haven’t really seen the cost of eggs drop to be honest even if the availability is better ) the Admiral is ok with our piecemeal painting plan of doing the removable stuff first one season and the bulk of it later.
(Basic generic white and black standard color paint codes)
It’s a plan that’s always subject to change…

I’d love to hear what the process your painter is going to be doing and what materials he’ll be using!
There is always something to learn and appreciate from professionals.
Often it helps make the decision to bite the bullet and have a pro do the work.

Please keep us posted!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

Thank you for your support with this. I sure will relate what paint he recommends. I know he is going to do one coat of primer and three coats of paint. I plan to get replacement gaskets for my front windows/ports for him to install. I think one of mine is leaking slightly. He is going to do both the white and the black. Rub rail to rub rail and cockpit. Plus hatch/cabin door. We meet tomorrow for color selection to try to match the sides which are in pretty good shape doe to regular waxing/polymer covering.

[Herschel]

Overeasy asked:

I’d love to hear what the process your painter is going to be doing and what materials he’ll be using!
There is always something to learn and appreciate from professionals.
Often it helps make the decision to bite the bullet and have a pro do the work.
Please keep us posted!

I "inked the deal" on my Mac repaint (rub rail to rub rail" topside. My painter is using Alexseal Yacht Coatings (polyurethane). He stated that these coatings are the next generation up in quality from Awl Grip coatings. He said it was a German company. (Manklewicz Gebr. & Co. is on the color chart) One coat of primer and three coats of topside paint. He is going to replace front widow gaskets, if I can get them from BWY, and paint my rudders, too. He will unscrew all of my cockpit enclosure snaps and reinstall them. Other fittings he will largely tape off. I asked about the dark shading that is visible in some spots. He said that the black was painted first in the mold, then the white when that was taped off. The dark I am seeing is the black finally showing through as my Gelcoat has faded. I found that helpful to know.

[Herschel]

One last post regarding the completion of my work on my 1959 O'Day Sprite sailing dinghy. I finished my repairs and paint job. My nephew came over and repacked the wheel bearings on the trailer. She is ready for her first sail in about five years. This was a great test of my stamina for DIY boat projects and my time utilization given my other interests and commitments. As a consequence I did decide to go ahead with having my '98 26X painted by a professional marine tech. She's in the shop as described in the new thread---investing in paint. Here are some pics of the completed job.

[Be Free]

Looking good!

When and where is the "inaugural" sail? We need pics!

[Herschel]

Looking good!

When and where is the "inaugural" sail? We need pics!

I am scouting possible launch sites, and I am waiting for my brother to recoup from a medical procedure. Probably in the next month. Definitely pics to come.

[OverEasy]

It looks gorgeous!
Excellent job!

[Herschel]

Looking good!

When and where is the "inaugural" sail? We need pics!

Got it done! My brother, one of my sons, and I, splashed Laddie II today in Lake Fairview here in Orlando. There is a nice little marina on the lake. You unhitch the trailer in the parking lot, and they hook up their little tractor and launch it for you. Nice sandy beach, shade tree to sit under. Nice. We took along a cooler of beverages and a bucket of KFC chicken. Great day for all. Thinking about keeping her at the marina full time so we can all access her easily and get her in the water without trailering her from my yard on the other side of the city. All three of us were a bit of an overload technically, but it was a light wind day, and we wanted to share the moment together. First time in the water in 5 years, and she is 66 years old this fall.

[OverEasy]

Congratulations!!!
She looks like brand new!
Better than new!

Glad you got to share the moment with your brother and son on a perfect day!

It doesn’t get much better than that!

Again Congratulations!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Be Free]

That looks like you had a really great time! Congratulations!

I didn't know there was a marina on Lake Fairview. That looks like the perfect spot for it. It would be great if your brother and son can spend some time on it as well. Nothing ages a boat like not using it.

If you want a nice challenge take it over to Lake Monroe some time. I used to sail a Sunfish all over it when I was in high school. As you know, that lake can get "interesting" very quickly when the weather changes. With your new flotation you don't even have to worry about sinking it.

[Herschel]

I really, really appreciate you guys expressing an interest in this project. Yes, the marina on Lake Fairview is a really positive venue in terms of support. They have about a dozen or so slips/beach mooring slots, a small store, a repair facility, areas for sailboats to be stored on their trailers (mast stepped) near the beach/launch area, other storage areas closer to the store or highway but accessible for launch with the marina tractor, and a consignment sales lot with about a dozed boats for sale including one blue-hulled Mac M. If I can solve the boat cover (with mast stepped) issue without spending an arm and a leg, we'll probably keep her at the marina for a few months. Oh, and a decent sized lake for sailing. That's critical. Again, thanks for the interest and the kind words.