Messages

Hi Simon - I would echo Steve Hawkins' advice and go for a good quality marine paint - there are a number to choose from - International, Hempel, Sikkens.  They all have their individual product ranges and paint systems and I would go for one of these and stick with their recommendations.
If you are stripping it back to bare wood you have two options:
1. Apply manufacturers' recommended primer to the wood, followed by undercoat and then gloss coat
2. Instead of primer, seal the bare wood with several coats of a low-viscosity epoxy resin (see West, SP, MAS Epoxies products) Once this has thoroughly cured, rub down and apply undercoat then choice of top coat.
You can apply using a brush, although often now paint is applied with a roller and then 'tipped off' with a disposable foam brush.  I have also got very good results using a paint pad.
Do make sure you follow all manufacturers' instructions to the letter.  (You can use low density filler during the undercoating phase to smooth out any superficial surface damage)
Good luck
Tim

Caroline from Yeadon has confirmed as my crew, so we'll be there with 'Gruffalo'.
Hoping for some fine and not too windy weather
Looking forward to it.
Tim

Chris & Sophie, the Copsey's and self now signed up - any more takers for this N12 Open Meeting next weekend?

And a beautiful photo courtesy of Kevan Bloor with 'Gruffalo' bolt upright on the beat - Gill Bilton doing a great job as crew in her first race in a National 12.

Sounds like you are doing a thorough job of it Paul.  Look forward to seeing some photos of the renovation and when she is back on the water.
The Sparklet has to have one of my favourite vintage 12 hull shapes.
Best wishes for a successful completion
Tim

[Uffa King]

According to the current owner she's an Uffa King built in 1936 - see info and pic below:
Built by Banham of Cambridge 1936, owner killed in Normandy landings, family kept and sailed her at Brancaster - see photo.
 
Substantially re-furbished by Jack Chippendale about 20 years ago - new deck and possibly keel.
She has hardly made it to the water since.
Most of her fittings are original including a suit of cotton sails.
Now in what appears to be in very sound condition although the wooden mast will require some attention.
A great piece of history.
Lots of family background - the lady sailing her in photo is current owner's grandmother - Felicity Beerbohm-Tree

With less than two weeks to go is anybody else planning to support the Leigh and Lowton Open this year?
I plan to be there in a Vintage boat of some description.
Tim

[very ill]

Phil - I believe the Jasco product is American and is probably unavailable in the UK as it contains dichloromethane - now a banned product in the EU.
 
The UK equivalent is the one I mentioned in an earlier post - Nitromors Craftsman Paint Stripper (in the yellow tin) which is now only available in the 'new formula' version which uses 1,3 dioxolane and dimethoxymethane instead of dichloromethane - but it's still v nasty stuff as it also contains methanol which can get into bloodstream via skin and inhalation. Not to be recommended!
 
Links to the spec/H&S COSHH data sheets for both products below - you will see that they are pretty similar in composition apart from the dichloromethane substitute.  Be aware of the Health Warnings on the COSHH sheet and follow usage advice - it can make you very ill if used in confined spaces with insufficient ventilation and is caustic, so cover skin, wear rubber/nitrile gloves and goggles.
 
Cover all areas not being stripped with newspaper or polythene - it's surprising how little splashes and flakes of old paint/varnish saturated in the stripper can make a real mess of the bits you didn't want to strip!
 
Finally - I haven't come across anything that strips epoxy in the way that paint peels off, it's generally a case of using at least 5 or 6 applications and shaving off a thin layer each time.  If you find something that does - please let me know.
 
Tim
 
Here are those hyperlinks....
 
Jasco : http://www.wmbarr.com/ProductFiles/Jasco%20Premium%20Paint%20&%20Epoxy%20Remover%20%284015-26E%29%205-17-11.pdf
 
Nitromors Craftsman: http://www.restexpress.co.uk/acatalog/Nitromors_Craftsman_Dichloromethane_Free_COSH.pdf

'Gruffalo' with Tim Gatti and crew Gill Bilton, on her way to winning Race 3 on Day 1 of the Inland Vintage Championships 29th June 2013.
(Thanks to John Cheetham for the lovely pic.)

I'd echo that and add another big 'thank you' to you too 'Mr T' for all your efforts in pulling/putting it all together, and lending out your vintage yots and arranging the wonderful weekend weather. Don't know how you do it.

Bigger and even better next year.
 
Hopefully we can get more ribbies out to compete for the Gill Admiral's Cup Trophy - four available for loan from my collection including Jack Holt's 1946 Burton Cup winner - 'Laughter' N493. All fully kitted out and ready to go. (Book early to avoid disappointment!)

Tim

View from aft - note crew waiting patiently with mugs of tea and stressed helm's attention elsewhere.
Sort your priorities Tim!

And under sail...
Thanks again to HC

Photo of 'Gruffalo' prior to launch and maiden sail on Tuesday 25th June 2013 at Yeadon Tarn W Yorks. 
The first Uffa King to be built for over 50 years.
Photo courtesy of Howard Chadwick

Hi Biniou - given that the majority of wooden dinghies in the UK probably have hulls finished in one or two pack marine paint or varnish from reputable manufacturers, I really wouldn't be too concerned about their ability to maintain the integrity of the hull - even if sailing all day.
 
If the stuff is so poor at keeping the water out how come the manufacturers are selling it at such exorbitant prices - it's fit for purpose; don't worry about it.
Tim
PS I also know of several well known and successful dinghy sailors who just use ordinary gloss paint from the hardware shop - and their hulls always look immaculate.

A forward thwart too - plenty of seating for passengers.