Must Look Worse…

…before it can look better. Currently stripping the varnish from the rub rail in order to re-do it. Think I’ll be oiling it in the future rather than varnishing, as it’s much easier to keep in good shape and it is a working part of the boat, after all. Besides which, that’s what my dockmaster recommends and as he’s one of the best shipwrights around, I’ll follow advice rather than winging it. No sense learning ALL of my lessons the hard way!

And I’ve graduated up to using actual chemicals for varnish removal rather than the tedious hand-sanding method I chose last year. I do know my limits ~ there are several things with which I should not be allowed to play: bleach, expanding foam, and most solvents. Each has resulted in minor disasters in the past ~ something about “if I can’t see immediate results, I must need MORE.”

But I’m learning a little bit of patience (for instance, I’m blogging while letting the stripper do it’s work, rather than impatiently chipping away at the wood…yay, me!) and that seems to be improving my project successes.


It’s been a bit cold this week and when I wandered into the forward head, there was something in the porthole. Something moving around, actually.


Three little birds were snuggled up. They didn’t stay long, but made me smile while they were here. Sure hope the weather begins to warm up soon. At least the heat issue seems resolved onboard!

No Responses to “Must Look Worse…”

  1. rob
    April 1, 2008 at 12:19 pm #

    Just loved the photos of the twins and of the birds! I guess they found some heat in the glass?

  2. bowiechick
    March 31, 2008 at 5:56 pm #

    Oh if only my rub rails looked so good…