Sanding Port Bottom, Part 3

August 29, 2015

The prior evening's application of epoxy stripper removed a few layers of the barrier coat and nearly all of the remaining anti-fouling paint.  It's interesting to see how the previous owner had raised the waterline, possibly a couple times.  In the course of removing the bottom paint, I did find the original,  molded-in waterline mark.  I do intend to raise the waterline from the original, likely to be raised ~2".    The previous owner did have an older 6hp Yamaha mounted on the stern with an outboard bracket fastened to the transom.  But this engine alone should not have necessitated a raising of the waterline to the extent it was.  I have opted to return to the traditional Typhoon bronze outboard bracket which folds down and can also be removed when not in use.  The engine I secured for Alva Anne is a Nissan 3.5hp, and will be easier to handle while sailing.  I intend to use the engine more as an assist to come on and off the dock; and while sailing, to stow it below.  Thus, a waterline somewhere just above the originally struck line should work well for the boat.

The pinkish coloration on the bottom is the barrier coat that is being removed, and just aft of this, in the white area, is the original gelcoat.  The gelcoat application on the aft portion of the bottom is very thick, and may have contributed to its cracking and deterioration over time.  In addition to the cracking gelcoat, I did come across several areas where the laminate was starved of resin in the layup process, as well as voids that will need to be filled and faired.

Working from the bow, I used 40 and 60-grit pads to remove the remaining barrier coat.

After the bottom is free of old anti-fouling paint and barrier coat, I will double-back and remove the boot stripe with 80-grit paper as I prepare the new water line.

As can be seen in the picture below, what remains of the old barrier coat are a couple small areas and the surface beneath the boat stand pads.  This represents about an hour's work.

I wanted to document a few areas on the bottom where the laminate contained voids that require attention.  The picture below is the port side bottom just above the rudder.

And, below, the port side bottom, trailing edge of the keel. 

Pictured below, the trailing edge of the keel, starboard side.

Finally, the picture below is of the keel, starboard side, just above the rudder.  The preponderance of the laminate issues seem to be positioned more in the aft section of the keel, including the thicker gelcoat application.

Total Time: 4.25 Hrs.