Submitted by Tim Bizzey on Wed, 20/01/2010 - 12:53

The winter has done its worst but our new copper coating is now finished and despite the appalling January weather Storm Petrel is now back in the water waiting for the mast to go up and then we can sail away in to the blue, or more probably the grey yonder.

The work looks excellent and we are optimistic that this expense will stand us in good stead for the next ten years or so. If Malcolm can slip down to the Carribbean with it and Chris can aspire to race results then it has to be good.

The secret is always preparation and whilst rich Malcolm opted for a slurry blast the poor Le Verrier-Bizzeys had to opt for a sand blast. Luckily that did no damage, the danger is always that it will damage the gel coat but we got away with it! Slurry is pretty much guaranteed to be gentle on the hull.

Annual maintenance should involve only a lift out and pressure wash and if the surface has gone dull a light rub off with wet and dry should restore the treatment.

Our new propeller was surprisingly encrusted on lift out so upon advice from Bruntons the treatment is Propspeed or a lanolin based material such as E N Hydro.