I’ve finally made the start to the first lot of significant maintenance tasks.

When Rosie Free was lifted out of the water at the end of last season some very fine cracks opened up inside. It was time to investigate them and begin the task of making good the repairs and reinforcement.

Above is in the port side locker around the aft of the keel bolts you may be able to see a thin crack. This area of fibreglass bonds this bulkhead to the hull, presumably for rigidity. A quick dig with a hardy screwdriver made a hole with very little effort. Only one layer of mat and a sizeable gap underneath.

When Rosie settled onto her keels for the first time in I think 2 years, things moved slightly, perhaps she went over a speed bump on the way from the river to the shed.

The material that split was quite fragile once poked and was not doing an especially great job at holding anything. So, my plan is to grind out this weak material on both sides with my trusty new mini belt sander, fill the exposed air-space with thickened epoxy (west system plus colloidal silica – peanut butter) and then layer over some fresh chopped strand matting.

I was a little paranoid about the amount of dust and mess I’d create, so as well as the sensible respirator I wore a disposable protective coverall, glasses and also sealed off the rest of the boat.

• 

• 

I was actually pretty happy with the whole job. Not much mess and this sander had a great attachment point for my Henry to suck the worst of the dist up with as I went.

Time marched on and I wanted to be home in time to cook tea for the family but the worst of the job I feel done. I will probably get the sander back out to tidy up the starboard side (right image) as this was pretty difficult to do under the galley locker floor.

I think next weekend I will also bring a brighter, mains-powered lamp and a 4-way extension lead. The little camping light was a life-saver this time but is not very bright at all.

I am a little tempted to add maybe two braces each side to reinforce the area. Lets see how it goes.

Ian