We now have the Max Prop off and have applied the first coat of bottom paint to Zephyrs bottom. We slowly dismantled the Max Prop after watching the You Tube videos on how to do it and then went at it, stopping from time to time to walk across the yard to get internet (not available at the boat) and watching them again. It slowly came apart. Once we got down the the center hub that everything attaches too, well it didn't want to come off. I got a prop puller from Victor(yard manager) and tried it but there just wasn't enough room between the prop and where it comes out of the hull for the clips to fit in. I put out a call on the morning VHF net and one of the other cruisers loaned me a couple more pullers and while I was off getting them, Tracy went over and talked to Victor and got one that looked like a collar that was slim enough to fit between the prop and the hull. We attached it and hooked the pullers behind it and every we'd try and tighten the puller shaft that sits against the prop shaft, it would slip off the prop shaft. I went over and talked to Victor and once he could break free from hauling boats, we came over and took a look and asked for a hammer. I got our sledge hammers and he knocked the heck out of the collar that fit on the shaft. About 5 smacks and then rotated the shaft and did it to the other side and pop, off it came. No way the puller was going to get it off but at least now we were down to the prop shaft for the cutlass bearing replacement. Victor came back later in the day and now tells us we have to take off the prop shaft so he can get at the bearing. Gee, what fun!!! I'd hoped to avoid doing that but guess not.

The day started with more rain with it continuing to either out right pour or just sprinkle enough that the hull we needed to paint was wet. It finally stopped about lunch and after a couple more hours of sun and overcast skies, it was dry enough to roll on the first coat of very expensive bottom paint. Rollers and brushes were all put to use and by 1800, just as the sun was setting, we had both sides done with about 8 ounces of paint left and it went into a jar for covering where the skids are that stabilize the hull. Out came the lacquer thinner and towels and with a good bit of elbow grease, we got the paint off our hands and arms that had dripped at we painted. I was a mess and did it between side painting just to get a jump on the mess I was in. We grabbed out shower gear and slowly walked down to the showers and groaned with every movement getting there, taking the shower and the walk back. Climbing the ladder to the boat was just great fun as the legs and knees were screaming at us. A quick dinner and then we just laid on the settees and watched shows till 2100 and Tracy headed off for bed. I needed to get on line to pose questions about cutlass bearings to a forum we belong to so I had to walk down to the marina complex and get on line. Reading the responses I got this morning, it looks like the bearing is indeed bad so now I get to take out the prop shaft but I'm not doing that till Victor shows up with the replacement bearing.

Today has dawned with bright blue skies so we will be out putting on the second coat of bottom paint this morning while it's cool and dry. Man, I really hate being on the hard in a yard. Just too much work is involved. I'll post some pictures when I can get back on line.