Over many summers, we meticulously refastened and replanked the hull. Each spring, we focused on a new section, and as winter arrived, we repainted those areas for protection while shifting our efforts to interior work. In August 2018, our friends Isaac and Eric at La Conner Maritime, moved her into a fully enclosed, heated tent—finally giving us the ability to work uninterrupted by inclement weather.
With proper shelter, we could address the remaining suspect planks and short planks—those replaced over the years due to repairs, which weaken the hull due to excessive butt joints. These were replaced with long, staggered planks for increased strength. Instead of traditional butt block seams, we opted for scarf joints, epoxying the planks together and reinforcing them with a butt block for added structural integrity. Fastening was completed with #12 stainless screws above the waterline and #12 silicon bronze screws from the waterline down to the chine.
After extensive deliberation and consultation with chemists from System Three Resins, we developed a preservation strategy to ensure the hull would withstand the elements like never before. The process began by wetting out the entire bare hull with System Three's SilverTip epoxy, a non-blushing formula that allowed deep penetration into the wood, forming a permanent bond that prevents water intrusion.
Next, we applied a layer of System Three QuickFair, a fairing compound also from the SilverTip line, using a notched trowel for even distribution. This technique minimized material waste and made the initial longboard sanding process more efficient. After achieving a mostly fair surface, a second application of QuickFair was used to fill in the trowel grooves. Every step of the fairing process utilized QuickFair until the hull reached a perfectly smooth finish.
With fairing complete, we applied System Three's Yacht Primer, a waterborne epoxy primer, as the base for the final paint. The hull now stands at this stage, with only minor finishing fairing work remaining before applying six gallons of System Three WR-LPU polyurethane topcoat.
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