Boatyard: no sanding

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PhillM

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Lifted today at Shamrock. Plan is to sand down and repaint top sides, etc. perhaps a bit of varnishing as well.

Talking to the staff I then found out that sanding is banned in the boatyard. Apparently it makes too much mess on other boats in the yard and the dust makes the staff cough. Really, that's what they said.

Never had a problem at Swanwicn or Universial. Sanding and painting seemed exactly what they expected when they booked in an old wooden boat.

I've never heard of this before. Is this normal?
 
About time too. Honestly it's a 1970's attitude to safety that would allow dry sanding in the open, the dust is highly toxic from paint or GRP - clouds of the stuff flying around. You often see guys suited, masked and even with powered air filter mask - but the sodding dust swirls around for everyone to breathe it in.
 
PhillM said:
Lifted today at Shamrock. Plan is to sand down and repaint top sides, etc. perhaps a bit of varnishing as well.

Talking to the staff I then found out that sanding is banned in the boatyard. Apparently it makes too much mess on other boats in the yard and the dust makes the staff cough. Really, that's what they said.

Never had a problem at Swanwicn or Universial. Sanding and painting seemed exactly what they expected when they booked in an old wooden boat.

I've never heard of this before. Is this normal?
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No DRY sanding. Seems reasonable to me. Use a proper extractor sander or use a tarpaulin as a tent and they will be fine.
 
This is why I like being at a tatty old traditional yard :). The only "staff" who might cough is already under far greater assault from the fag-smoke and bacon fumes swirling around his portacabin :D

Turn right instead of left next time you come up the river :)

Pete
 
IMO vacuum sanding is the very best way to go, even when it is not mandated.

The person sanding remains clean, the yard remains clean, the sander and the paper remain cool, for maximum life.

These are the tools I use. I do not hesitate to recommend these tools.

The Festool ETS 150/3 is incredible for finish sanding / polishing. The Festool RO 150 FEQ is a powerhouse, for coarse removal, to finish sanding.

The Festool CT22 dust extractor is the tool I use to ensure the system performs as-intended, maximizing abrasive life, keeping the work surface cool and keeping the area clean.
 
Kingfisher 2 said:
Rub it down wet ... what's the problem? 220 wet and dry paper then hose it off.
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Fine for the top sides, not so fine for 6 coats of varnish I'm planning to apply. Mind you expect I'll get away with that, just don't tell em eh?

I just think it's a bit silly, they know what the boat is, it's on their computer. What did they think I'm going to do, if they didn't want sanding, why take my booking?
 
I think they might look at it the other way round - our rules are known , he would have checked before he booked himself in with us. Why is he complaining now?
 
birdseye said:
I think they might look at it the other way round - our rules are known
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Are they known? I've been to Shamrock a few times one way or another (though never had a boat in their yard) and I didn't know about this rule.

(I agree that dry sanding antifoul with a power-sander is antisocial, but that's not the same thing as rubbing down varnish and yacht enamel on a classic yacht's topsides and brightwork.)

Pete
 
prv said:
Are they known? I've been to Shamrock a few times one way or another (though never had a boat in their yard) and I didn't know about this rule.

(I agree that dry sanding antifoul with a power-sander is antisocial, but that's not the same thing as rubbing down varnish and yacht enamel on a classic yacht's topsides and brightwork.)

Pete
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I have been there a few times pre the lift and didn't see or hear of this before.

Here is the link to the offer, again no mention: http://www.mdlmarinas.co.uk/winter-boatyard-terms

And yes I'd agree re anti foul, that said loads of racing boats do sand. I don't. Just a bit of white topside and varnish. Really, I'm a sociable person, honest.
 
Well, the obvious answer next time is to haul out at Kemp's across the river instead. Bet they're cheaper than MDL, and you can do whatever you like on your own boat without anyone coming and wagging a clipboard at you :)

Pete
 
Lazy Kipper said:
About time too. Honestly it's a 1970's attitude to safety that would allow dry sanding in the open, the dust is highly toxic from paint or GRP - clouds of the stuff flying around. You often see guys suited, masked and even with powered air filter mask - but the sodding dust swirls around for everyone to breathe it in.
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Quite right, it's only a shame it will be a while before other yards follow MDL's example.
Do we really need rules imposed on us before we see common sense and courtesy?
 
Hamble Point have signs up all around the yard - no dry sanding - so wet and dry is fine. It seems reasonable to me as I spent a couple of hours getting ground in antifoul off my decks after launching
 
So went to the boat today and called into the office t find out exactly what I could or could not do.

Hand sanding top sides and varnish, is fine

Use of orbital sander only If a dust bag is used.

Apparently there have been people using orbital sanders, no bag, on anti foul. That's why the ban.

So, happy days, got my topsides sanded and prepped, now just need to get a couple of coats on.
 
I think common sense and courtesy to others is the rule here; how one lives by that is up to one's conscience if one has one.

The pricks in Audi's and BMW's who cut me up even though I'm near ( slightly above to be honest ) the speed limit and able to go way above if it becomes a pissing contest are just the type of wankers I'd expect to spray grit and and paint over everyone else's boats...:rolleyes:
 
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