There are a lot of other Pearson 26s out there. Scapegrace's next-door neighbor, through this last harsh winter out in Charlie's boatyard, was a sister ship. Here's the sister's keel:
Scapegrace's wasn't quite so bad this spring. You can see her keel in the background; but that's after a scraping and a pass with the wire brush in the drill, and a coat of paint. Before all that, there was a lot of rust.
It's that way every year. The keel is cast iron, and the critter-proof bottom paint doesn't keep the water away. Over the years before Scapegrace and I became acquainted, water got in under the paint; and now the iron has developed vacuoles, buboes, voids, blisters; pockets that rust from underneath. Even after that first coat of paint, you can see the Invisible Worm starting his riots -- and the boat isn't even in the water yet!
The sages at Charlie's boatyard tell me I have to take the whole keel down to bare metal and paint it with some kind of adamantine primer. Then they take a look at my little Sears drill and gently intimate that it may be time to move up to some Big Boy gear.
I hear comments aren't working. Is this true?
ReplyDeleteDo you have to maintain the metal where the keel interfaces to the hull?
ReplyDeleteFlak
I worry a lot about it. But I have yet to loosen the keel bolts (which are readily accessible in the bilge) and take a look. That would be a big job. But what if the keel bolts are half eaten through? Aiiee!
ReplyDeleteJust came across your sailing blog and enjoy the writing. Where are you sailing this summer? I've got a Ericson about the same size as your Pearson. I sail out of New Bedford. I recognized the Pearson keel in your picture because it looks exactly like a sailing buddy's keel who is using my belt sander to attack parts of it. Hope you keep up your posts.
ReplyDeleteGreg
New Bedford? On Buzzards Bay?! Many's the time and oft I've wished for a friend in those waters. Deo volente I'll be in your neighborhood in early July-- on the way to Maine -- and then again in mid-September, on the way back. If you know of an anchorage or mooring where I might spend a night or two, in one direction or the other, and maybe even encounter another human being... well, that would be a treat.
ReplyDeleteDrop me a line when you're passing by. You can use my mooring if I'm off it or raft on it, if I'm there. There is good anchorage at a couple spots in the harbor as well. It's a friendly, interesting port. My mooring inside hurricane barrier and north of Pope's Island in an area that up until this year was called Cozy Cove (now "Back Bay"). I'm sure you'll be in a hurry to get to Maine, but if you haven't been out to Cuttyhunk or Tarpaulin Cove, you should some time. I may be able to provide a human encounter personally or through surrogate depending on when you are by.
ReplyDeleteGreg
s/v Promises
cantwellgreg@yahoo.com
Thanks, I certainly will!
ReplyDelete