As some kind folk in New Zealand have been generous enough to remark that the finish of the topsides is very smooth and glossy, and that they would not have known it was a steel hull, it may be opportune to discuss the paint finish here. From the time of sandblasting to the final coat, over 25 coats were applied, the last coats being sprayed on. Only at welds and other uneven spots was stopping applied, distortion being slight, due to the 30ft long plates and reduced welding footage compared to the diagonal plate lay up usually used in round bilge construction. Extremely fine paper was used and countless hours were spent rubbing down.
The long lasting gloss of the black topsides is due to the splendid qualities of Dulux's Durethane, a polyurathane finish not yet available in New Zealand. This newly introduced finish is living up to the manufacturer's claims; a life of many years with repaints occasioned only by the necessity to make good damage done by impact. Careless "fizz boat" drivers who, while moving to and from the launching ramp at Westhaven, have repeatedly proved this point, despite my efforts to protect the boat with a boom defence system of poles and ropes. If an apology is offered at all in these crises it is usually' accompanied by the information that "she was out of control". I can only assume they mean their speed boats and not their crews.
I did not sandblast the inside, this being almost impossible without dust and sand extraction equipment. I suspected then that the interior could be more difficult to maintain than the outside, when in commission, and went to some pains to do a thorough job. Oxy-acetylene flame brush cleaning followed by power wire brush and hand brushing removed all but the most tenacious millscale and rust. Treat ment with proprietory phosphoric acid solutions, followed by nine coats of industrial aluminium over a primer has completed the system where out of sight. In the engine space and forepeak this has been overcoated by enamels. So far, no corrosion is evident, but test scratching indicates that in some spots adhesion is not as good as that on the outside.
Over the steel deck I applied a ''1/4in layer of 5% chlorinated rubber in pitch. Into this were bedded planks of the white beech deck, laid to the African mahoghany covering board. Some 2,400 screws, secretly fastened, secured the deck for caulking. With the white, flexible, epoxide deck caulking I regrettably fell into the hands of thieves. Their much vaunted product with verbal guarantee of 15% expansion of the weather face, has in places shown its elasticity and adhesion to fall somewhat short of ther claims.
I am obliged to consider either eventual routing out and recaulking or extensive repairs within a few years. The deck timber white beech, comes from Queenslnd. Once known as grey teak it has qualities very similar to the highly esteemed teak, but is of lighter appearance.
We have kaleidoscopic impression of the work that followed; the uninterrupted completion of any one job seeming to end with the laying of the deck. The integration of so many jobs now seemed to cause endless holdups. In short, we were advancing on a frustratingly broad front. The ring main wiring system with 18 lights and the heavy wiring for three electric winches, shower, washing machine, fridge, pumps etc. was installed. The hull was insulated throughout with fibreglass and the under deck with polyurethane foam before fitting out. Three separate water tanks were installed under the floor, fillable from the deck. Realizing that the success of any cruise depends on the ease with which the anchor is retrieved, and planning to carry a half ton of 1/2inch tested chain, I made a hydraulic and elecric winch to permit fast recovery by two means. The chain can also be brought in by hand, -albeit slowly.
Due to a succession of catastrophes with the hydraulic system. I spent valuble weeks before I emerged only partly successful, a sadder and wiser amateur hydraulics engineer. The "simplicity of marine hydraulics", hs since moved inland to Canberra. Motto - Be wary of the friendly war surplus man and his product.