nmeyrick
Well-Known Member
I've been contemplating copper coat for my boat for over a year now, and a few months ago posted on here (as doubleh) asking for advice. The forum did not disapoint, and I got some fantastic pointers from several people, with an especially notable mention to Galadriel.
One of the tips I got was repeated recommendations for Symblast to do the sand blasting of the old antifoul, and when I finally got the boat out of the water in June I called Paul at Symblast. He was extremely helpful helpful, giving some more great advice on coppercoat, and supplying me with the necessary amount at a decent price. The actual blasting was amazingly efficient and surprisingly quick, and earned plaudits from the marina for the superb job they did in containing the mess and clearing up afterwards.
Anyway, after a few weeks drying, several long weekends, two pairs of aching arms and a huge pile of used sanding discs we finally had the hull cleaned up, smoothed out and ready for coppercoating by the weekend. With the first prospect of dry weather since the boat was hauled, but with no prospect of time off work this week I again called Paul who was able to squeeze me in at short notice, despite the long drive to london from the south coast, to come and apply the copper coat in the window and so save me the heartache of further weeks on the hard waiting for the British Summer to ease.
However at the last minute there was a fly in the ointment, and on Monday night with the painting scheduled for the following day, the weather forecasts were split between clear, sunny weather all day, and heavy rain in the afternoon. For those of you unfamiliar with copper coat, it is water soluable until cured, and any water before this point will simply wash it off creating a very expensive mess. For a while it looked like the attempt may have to be abandoned yet again, until I remembered Simon Keeling's weather postings on Scuttlebut, which always seem to draw plaudits. On Simon's website there is a "call a forecaster" number, which I duly rang.
I came straight through to Simon, to whom I explained my predicament. He was cool and professional, and confidently assured me that whilst Tuesday morning would be overcast, the day would brighten up and I wouldn't see any rain until 2pm on Wednesday. I told Paul the news, and he cheerfully set off at 5am to do the job.
Well I have to say that Simon was a little off - the rain didn't actually come until 2.30pm on Wednesday, by which time the coppercoat was cured and came to no harm. Paul did a splendid job, and I returned to the boatyard to see Ranger gleaming in her new livery, and received several compliments from other owners in the yard.
Anyway, apologies for the long post, but it feels great to get a happy ending after months of planning and preparation, and I felt that I must publicly thank both Simon and Paul for their great work. Cheers guys!
One of the tips I got was repeated recommendations for Symblast to do the sand blasting of the old antifoul, and when I finally got the boat out of the water in June I called Paul at Symblast. He was extremely helpful helpful, giving some more great advice on coppercoat, and supplying me with the necessary amount at a decent price. The actual blasting was amazingly efficient and surprisingly quick, and earned plaudits from the marina for the superb job they did in containing the mess and clearing up afterwards.
Anyway, after a few weeks drying, several long weekends, two pairs of aching arms and a huge pile of used sanding discs we finally had the hull cleaned up, smoothed out and ready for coppercoating by the weekend. With the first prospect of dry weather since the boat was hauled, but with no prospect of time off work this week I again called Paul who was able to squeeze me in at short notice, despite the long drive to london from the south coast, to come and apply the copper coat in the window and so save me the heartache of further weeks on the hard waiting for the British Summer to ease.
However at the last minute there was a fly in the ointment, and on Monday night with the painting scheduled for the following day, the weather forecasts were split between clear, sunny weather all day, and heavy rain in the afternoon. For those of you unfamiliar with copper coat, it is water soluable until cured, and any water before this point will simply wash it off creating a very expensive mess. For a while it looked like the attempt may have to be abandoned yet again, until I remembered Simon Keeling's weather postings on Scuttlebut, which always seem to draw plaudits. On Simon's website there is a "call a forecaster" number, which I duly rang.
I came straight through to Simon, to whom I explained my predicament. He was cool and professional, and confidently assured me that whilst Tuesday morning would be overcast, the day would brighten up and I wouldn't see any rain until 2pm on Wednesday. I told Paul the news, and he cheerfully set off at 5am to do the job.
Well I have to say that Simon was a little off - the rain didn't actually come until 2.30pm on Wednesday, by which time the coppercoat was cured and came to no harm. Paul did a splendid job, and I returned to the boatyard to see Ranger gleaming in her new livery, and received several compliments from other owners in the yard.
Anyway, apologies for the long post, but it feels great to get a happy ending after months of planning and preparation, and I felt that I must publicly thank both Simon and Paul for their great work. Cheers guys!