Bottom Blacking - Shardlow Marina

We have just returned from a week at Shardlow Marina where the onerous 3 yearly bottom blacking took place.

Thursday 27 August  - We set off for Shardlow Marina as Coventina was due to be pulled out on Friday at 8am.  When we left Derwent Mouth Lock the marker was on red/amber, however as there hadn't been any further rain and we needed to get to the marina, we went for it!!!The current was strong and against us.  We made good, albeit slow progress until we neared the marina where the river narrows. Here we were nearly at a stand still but the Izuzu managed an extra horse power or two and powered us into the marina - phew!

Friday 8am - the team don't mess about here, out we came by tractor quickly and smoothly. 

We were pleasantly surprised as the hull was not in bad condition despite nearly 3.5 years since we last blacked her.  

   

Being from Yorkshire, we opted to do the pressure washing ourselves, as they say pennies make pounds 😉  The pressure washing takes place on the slipway and then  you are towed into the boatyard.

As the anodes had just about sacrificed themselves, we had four new ones fitted.     

We then applied the first coat, - the most difficult one making sure all the little crevices are filled, but, with two hands on deck we managed to complete this on Saturday.

As we were out for the week, we could allow the bitumen to dry between coats which was great.  

On Wednesday we enjoyed a 'takeaway' carvery from the 'Boathouse' a pub located in the marina, which we would definitately recommend. A point to note, living high rise up a ladder - don't have too many beers! 

Finally after three coats , new anodes and sprucing up she was looking really great!☺

  

All in all, we have had a really good week, everything went to plan and ran smoothly.

Today we were floated back in the water - all done by 8.30am.