Reel Talk with Captain Ed

July 15, 2010

Well, it is that week of the year that every captain dreads.  It’s time to get the boat hauled out of the water and get her bottom cleaned, props checked and a fresh coat of paint on her bottom.  The worst part is you no longer have A/C to escape to and when a boat gets pressure washed it sends a mist of water and bottom grime into the air and it seems to get everywhere.  We should be in pretty good shape, though, as we have fresh wax on the boat which should repel most of it.   

You know, it is always amazing when you see one of these boats out of the water.  She looks so much bigger out of the water.  One of the guys who works at the yard made a comment while I was standing there looking at her.  I told him she always looks bigger out of the water where you can see her entire bottom.  He said “Yeah, my wife is the same way!”   I got a chuckle out of that one. 

After the hull was pressure washed, we cleaned the boot stripe really well.  There is always that grey smudge that you just can reach from the upper deck caused by exhaust and dirty water slapping up above the bottom paint.  The next thing we will do is wax the entire hull.  That is when and where you really figure out how big these boats are.  It is hot, sweaty work.  Some guys will pay detail teams to come in and do it, but I prefer to do it myself.

We were shut down by thunderstorms today while cleaning the air filters on the engines.  I actually go to the extent of getting a filter cleaning kit from Detroit.  Lots of people overlook cleaning these air filters but it is critical and it is really simple.  You spray them with cleaner, have them sit for 10 minutes, let them dry thoroughly, and then you spray them with a special oil.  I see this overlooked on so many boats. 

We should splash her on Monday afternoon or Tuesday.  I can’t wait.   Capt. Ed