Making progress, feeling stupid...

[ocuyler]

After putting the 23CC project on the shelf for 18 months, I finally get the boat out after prodding from several members. You know who you are... We had painted the hull and wet sanded down to 800.

So I'm rubbing out the hull and it's looking sweet. I can see the second hand on my watch. As I get to mid-ships, I discover, much to my dismay, that we had wet sanded through the paint is several areas and the primer was starting to show through. Stop buffer. Drink beer. Make calls.

So it turns out that the Interlux "Brightsides" one part polyurethane, that was the sweetheart of paint in many peoples minds 18 months ago, have now changed their tunes. "I could have told you that was "shi* paint and not to use it." "Dude, I asked you 18 months ago and it's what you recommended!" Whatever. Now I know. Maybe this is a good lesson.

I have always trusted the repairs and gelcoat work on our big boats to Great Lakes Yacht Works in Sodus Point, New York. So, with my tail between my legs I towed her down there and pleaded my stupidity. Of course, they HAD "told me so", but I didn't want to spend the "big" money for a paint job. Bill was very understanding (he still laughed)and made me a very reasonable package deal to re-shoot the hull sides (Imron dark blue) and bottom (Interlux VC Performance white)(turning her over) and installing the new Taco rub rail.

I'll let you guys determine the moral of the story, but in retrospect, I would still do the prep work. But painting (or gel coating) is what you see at the end forever and is really the part your project is judged on most.

See'll be done in a couple weeks and I'm looking forward to finishing her up.

Humbley submitted,