CD33 Facelift

[Jeff and Sarah]

Among the several projects that have been delaying my launch this year (should be splashing this Sunday) was a facelift for Prerequisite. Far more went into this than simple color changes (a full bottom job not the least), but she sure looks different than when we hauled in the fall!

Before: There is a boot stripe hiding in there but it matched the bottom paint so closely it is tough to see.



During:



After: Not typical Cape Dory colors but we wanted something a little different.



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The cove stripe is admittedly a little too high but I wanted to keep it clear of abrasion from the fenders. I used Interlux Perfection for the boot stripe as I've had great results with it in the past. The cove stripe is tape. Every square inch below the toe rail has 5-8 coats of something (barrier coat, paint, primer, compound, wax- my arms are tired!) That doesn't count all the sanding and fairing on the bottom or gel coat repairs above the waterline. At this point, I can't wait to go sailing.

[Jim Walsh]

I admire your resolve, and the results of course. It is time to go sailing, you deserve a break

[Jeff and Sarah]

I have to confess Prerequisite is not my only boat. Though much louder, I have gotten plenty of time to enjoy my ski boat quite a bit with the Cape Dory out of the water.

[RLW]

Very, very nice! Thanks for showing the stages. BTW...no such thing as too many boats...and they're all good!

[Jeff and Sarah]

Thanks. I agree you can't have too many boats. They seem to be breeding in my yard and at my dock. Here are a few more "in progress" pictures.

1st coat of barrier (Interprotect 2000e). You can also see a couple gelcoat repairs started near the ladder. In this photo they were filled and faired but I hadn't laid gelcoat yet:



More fairing:



2nd coat of barrier:



Now imagine the barrier coat/fairing rotation several more times…

Also, the rudder was in awful shape. I removed all the old fairing compound- it looked like whoever did it last didn't get the amine blush cleaned off very well between the first and second coats. The entire rudder had a distinct area of poor adhesion where I'd grind and grind and grind fairing compound then suddenly huge flakes would break off showing another layer of compound beneath. Anyway, I cut out 6 luan templates to ensure the both sides were somewhat close to the same shape (it wasn't perfect in the end, but she's no race boat) and re-faired and reshaped the entire thing:

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I also filled a couple through-hulls while I was at it since the transducers haven't worked in years and I use an oil bath for my depth sounder rather than a through hull.