We drove north today, collecting along the way a gallon of xylol, a quart of acetone, various grades of sandpaper, swim goggles, industrial eye protector, and some respirator face masks, determined to find a way to remove the tenacious remaining VC17 from GANNET’s bottom.  It turns out that even with my eyes, sanding, which unquestionably will work, is not out of the question, though a last and least desirable alternative.

        A day or two ago, today was forecast to be 70º.  Although obviously that wasn’t going to happen, we loaded Carol’s bicycle in the car so she could bike around while I worked.  That didn’t happen either.  Winthrop Harbor was 46º, foggy, raw and cold.

        Carol sat in the car while I finished the rudder.

        The paint on the starboard side was thicker than on the port, and, after softening it with xylol, I scrapped a recalcitrant patch off with a putty knife, before a final xylol wipe down.

        Even though VC17 is thin-filmed, obviously annual applications build up, which I speculate is why isopropyl alcohol was less effective on GANNET than some other boats.

        A professional boat builder has told me that xylol and acetone are similar, with xylol being somewhat stronger. 

        When we broke for lunch, we drove to a Walmart, where I bought another dozen rolls of paper towels and a gallon of acetone.

        The doctor has cancelled my appointment tomorrow due to a family emergency, so I will train north.  By this time tomorrow night, the odious job, which several have said should be saved for someone you really dislike, may be done.

        VC17 is a unique beast.

        After my initial  alcohol wipe down, GANNET had the most beautiful bottom of any boat I have ever owned, as hard and smooth as the burnished bronze it resembled.  Certainly it would have been fast; and perhaps on a boat that lived out her life on the Great Lakes excellent.

        I will be so glad to have the last off GANNET.

        The photos are courtesy of Carol and her iPhone.