tiki 2.0

moving toward the big dance I am almost frantically tidying around the property amd along preparations for me to leave for long periods. 

a further step towards these aims, and perhaps securing a future cruising boat (or selling of to buy another), was to extract my Wharram Tiki 21 from the paddock and bring it in for work. Too large for my workshop, it sits as close as possible to it and already so have begun scraping back the port hull deck. this was done previously, but much of the epoxy filler had begin lifting suggesting my prep was inadequate or epoxy wasnt the best product.

I plan to use polyester filler, a marine undercoat and two pack epoxy paint to finish.I don't know why but even the paint that was used last time, which was good quality (Dulux) has flaked loose is great gobs. There is definitely an argument against wooden boats and or using non-marine grade paints. I recall before that when I asked the Bunnings paint desk woman to colour my chosen product, oil based primer, that she swapped it for a water based version. Young people on the field will chant to

the mantra nailed into them by sales staff from the large companies, that "its just was good". but having done house painting for years, and with my own boats, oil based enamel is second only to marine epoxy. In fact, I have a 10 year old Wharram Melanesia still around here, painted on oil based enamel that is holding up very well with no deterioration beyond mild fading. 

Anyway, the story here is that my Tiki is being embraced and may soon be ready for sea. And that's got to be a good thing.