You bottom paint a boat to prevent growth and barnacles from destroying the hull.  They can actually eat right through the hull and create holes.  Bottom paint works to prevent that from happening by sloughing off the paint and anything that has attached itself slowly over a couple of years.  This means you have to repaint every year or two.

Matt and Rita needed to repaint the bottom of Shelsea, and we offered to help.

They had to take it down to Seven Seas boatyard and have it pulled out of the water.

These pictures show the damage that is done over time and how you get it ready to paint on jack stands.

So that was the work crew.

Started by putting the ladders up and taping Shelsea off.

After a lot of rolling and brushing two coats later Shelsea is looking much better.  The sorry part is when you put her into the water you can’t even see the paint.

Matt and Rita have a retractable keel so that had to be painted in the hoist.

So we all gathered for the relaunch, after which Matt and I brought her back to the marina.

Of course Buddy, Matt and Rita’s Dachshund gave the final approval.

It took a total of three days but was a worthwhile project and Shelsea will continue to float.

“Living The Dream”

   Tammy & Steve