Sanding the new gel coat flat.....

Today I started sanding the new gel coat I sprayed the other day. I am using 40 grit to knock it down then I will go over that with 400 for a smooth surface. Then I will be ready for paint. While I was under the boat sanding Shawn bellied the holes that need filling around the boat. He also started filling the transom holes. I did this because I am not sure where the new exhaust hole and scupper holes will go. Well here are a few pictures of today's work.

Bottom Gel coated.....

Well after a few issues trying to gel coat the bottom of the boat, today I was able to do it. I used the Bink's and moved as fast as I could. There are a few runs and a ton of orange peel. This is not a big issue since I will be sanding most of it off to get it smooth. The black you see in the pictures is a trace coat. This is so I can block the bottom and see where the lows are. Hope to have the bottom painted by the weekend..

Bottom Paint Removel....

So where do I begin? A few days ago I made a comment about how I hired a "guy" to remove the bottom paint on the boat and I was a little skeptical about what he said he could do. Well I sure put my foot in my mouth today. This "guy" Tom, owner of Boat Savers did exactly what he said he would do and he did a great job at it. He was able to remove all the bottom paint form the boat and keep a factory smooth finish. Yes I will still have to prime the bottom before I paint it but it is just about ready for that. A few areas that need some filling, nothing that he did just areas that are aged. The boat was done in five hours and that inclued a lunch and clean up. Can't say enough about his work and his passion for what he does. There is a link to his email address in the LINKS section of the blog fir anyone needing any bottom work done. Tom will travel where ever he needs to to do a job. Tom if you are reading this THANK YOU very much for a job well done on my boat.

I also got the three Hatches glued down with NIDA-BOND. I just have to belly them and glass them in.

Hatches getting done.....

Today Shawn and I got a good bit done on hatches. The Routing took a little longer then we wanted because the bit was trashed. We where able to get the holes cut but only one frame routed in. I have to grab a new bit tomorrow. Shawn was working on the hatch covers when I left to get ready for work. We still have to make one more each of the hatches. Enjoy the Pics.

Wedding done, Work begins again......

Wedding is done and work has already comenced again on the Fish Project. Today we got the boat off the trailor and onto stands. I have a guy comming to take the bottom paint off on Thursday and he needed it off the trailor. Said it will only take a few hours with this special tool he has..... We will see. Tomorrow I will be putting another deck piece on with two more hatches. Things should move real quick now that my wedding is over.