haul out time
It's early June and time for NORTH STAR to get a bit of TLC. She gets quite a lift today, from the waters of Budd Bay to a spot in the Swantown Marina Boatyard. It's time to clean off the growth on her bottom, check the zincs, remove oxidation, and polish the hull. Somehow our pull out date coincides with a super low tide, so up, up, up she goes from water level to a spot on shore.
The Boatyard crew lift her out, then pressure wash the hull. Yep, there is a bit of growth of algae and other marine life after a year in the water, but the bottom paint is holding up just fine.
Next, NORTH STAR gets moved to a work space and support blocks are placed under her hull.
And now it is our turn to go to work. The captain takes care of all of the zincs, and we both start the cleaning process of removing oxidation from the dark blue hull. We get the job partway done, and then we get some terrific help - our daughter and three grandkids arrive to assist! Hooray! with their help, the job progresses quickly, and with a lot of fun thrown in, too! Polish goes on, and our boat gets its shine back. (Click on images for full photo.)
It feels so great to have NORTH STAR sparkle once again! Thanks, family!!! We are ready to go cruising!