As always, the workmen showed up today just about 0800 and started in on the starboard side deck cleaning up the small bumps left by the hole filling done yesterday afternoon. All the screw holes were filled and now look nice and smooth. Once the deck was swept and cleaned, they laid down a layer of epoxy and then applied a new layer of fiberglass. Once it was embedded in the epoxy, another layer of epoxy was brushed on top of that. We've had leaks on that side of the boat as well as the port side and they took care to grind down and fill and fiberglass the same area on the starboard side as was found on the port side. Shortly after they filled and fixed the port side, we poured lots of water on it and there were no leaks below deck. I'm sure the same should be true of this side. After letting the new layer of fiberglass set for a few hours, they then applied a layer of the white filler that smooths and also seals the deck. It has to cure over night so their job was done early in the afternoon.

We got started in on getting the bottom paint off the port side having finished the starboard side on Tuesday. I grabbed the Skil Grinder with 40 grit sand paper on the wheel and went at it. We found that while the sanding/grinding pad is just 4 inches across, using a 5 inch pad works even better. The paper that extends over the edge whips across the hull taking off lots more that just using a 4 inch pad. Now the 5 inchers tend to wear out around the edges as it spins but then I can use the center section and do a bit more sand/grinding. Works slick. Tracy grabbed the manual scrapper and went at the really hard barnacles that the power wash and the sanding/grinding hadn't gotten all of. I wanted to get at least half the port side done today before the temps got so hot that the job got miserable.

I bought what's called a "bunny" suit for the job. It's a white protection suit that like a set of coveralls only it zips up the front and has a hood. I'd asked for an XL and got a 3XL. To say it floated on me was an understatement. Now I didn't care that it was too big, what my problem with the suit was that it seals in all the body heat and sweat and keeps out any fresh air. Within 30 minutes, I had what felt like rivers of sweat flowing from the end of the pants and the sleeves for my arms. It's quite uncomfortable having water flow out around your extremities. I was drinking a ton of liquid to stay up with what my body was getting rid of. In the end, about 35 minutes later, I took the suit off and just wore the breathing mask and glasses to protect my eyes from the flying grit and flakes of paint coming off the hull. It was much cooler but my body was covered in black dust. My arms and legs and head. All my clothes were caked in it. I was a mess but the job needed to get done. We finally finished the half side I'd planned on doing about 1130 and I had Tracy bring down my shower bag with a change of clothes. I didn't dare go inside Zephyr as I was a walking bio hazard. I lathered up my face(after washing it) for a quick shave and the lather I scrapped off came out black on the razor when I rinsed it. It took several tries at shampooing to get my hair and head clean. I took a brush with me to make sure I got everything off that would come off. Lunch was a great BLT sandwich. Oh so yummy. Plus, I had Cheetos with it. First time we have seen them in quite a while and it was the crunchy type, not the puffed type. Oh it's nice to be in a civilized country that understands snacks. One thing they don't understand here is pretzels. You can't find just ordinary pretzels in any store. Now they have Snyders of Hanover and don't get me wrong, they are great pretzels but the stores only carry the exotic kinds--Jalapeno, Cheddar, Hot Wings, Mustard to name just a few and what they do carry is a marketers dream. Only the broken pieces, not the whole pretzels. They aren't available either. Go figure!!!

Earlier in the day, I stopped in at the chandlery to see about the bottom paint we needed for Zephyr. They only had three gallons in stock--one black and two blue. Three gallons won't cover Zephyr with the two/three coats she needs to repel the oceans growth. The person that helped us made some calls trying to find more but couldn't. No more exists on the island and it will take a good two to three weeks to get it in. We are now in search of a new paint. To bad as this stuff was only about $250US a gallon. That's cheap but bottom paint standards.

Once the workmen left(about 1430, we started in on getting everything off the deck area just above the main salon. It's the last place we have teak and they plan of stripping it off tomorrow. Our biggest obstacle was the two "granny" bars mounted to the deck. These are inverted "U" shaped metal rails with wooded boxes attached for more storage. We use these bars to keep me on board as it's a great place to hang onto when we are at sea plus several of our lines get attached to them. The starboard side came off alright but the port side just won't come loose. Some of the bolts that hold it onto the deck came unscrewed just fine and other needed the grip of Vice Grip pliers to come loose. We had to chisel out the wood under the pads so they would drop down just a bit so we could have some space to grab the bolts with the channel locks. Two bolts on the port side refused to come out. They both rotate nicely when the vice grips are attached but they just won't come out of the deck. Something is wrong and we will probably have to have the deck cut away to find out what it is. I'd much rather tear out the deck than the ceiling inside the boat. It's much easier to repair. The men will be facing that job tomorrow. Since one of the bolts we took out had moisture on the threads, and we have a leak just below it, we figure the deck has had water intrusion and would have needed to be cut away anyway. Tomorrow, we will let the "pros" weigh in and see what they thing.

Tonight was barbecue night at the Roti Hut. The restaurant is closed(closed about 1225 when they run out of food)but they let us use their open air eating area. The fires are lit about 1745 and lots of cruisers gather after that with everyone bringing something to cook and a dish to share. It makes for a fun and cheap evening. Lots of conversation about everyones boats and where they have been and where they are going. A nice way to spend the evening.

I've included a picture of Tracys birthday present. The new Air Conditioner. The foil along the edges keeps the cool air and the kids in though both have figured out that all they have to do is push on them with their paws or head and they will pop right out.