Lift Out Day

'NJ' was lifted out last Friday ( 13th ! ), the drawings supplied by Northshore for slinging positions were spot on, with the strops well clear of the log paddle wheel, and leaving the keel free to be retracted once the underwater sections had been powerwashed. We did lose one small area of the Copper Coat antifouling off the keel during the wash off, but not enough to get worried about - might touch this up in August if we have her hauled out then. We were very impressed with how little growth there was on the hull; just slime, and a minor beard of sea grass at water level, with a marked difference in growth between the sunny & shadow sides. The main hull anode unbolted with no problems at all, but many thanks to Paul & Ruth off 'Mettlesome' for the loan of a long socket set extension bar to allow the bowthruster anode nut to be removed. I was particularly pleased to find that the bowthruster anode was in reasonable condition, as this was my main worry ( having not had a bowthruster before )for lift out day. On our last trip up to Tynemouth the log was not working, this turned out to be down to one small barnacle jamming the paddle wheel. I spent 10 minutes cleaning the area around the wheel with a stiff wire to 'discourage' squatters! After only about an hour we were ready to go back into the water. All the boat jobs are now complete, so next weekend we will take up residence, and plan the first couple of legs of the 'voyage'

Above : 'NJ' being lifted out, with the keel fully extended ( 2.18m draught ) Right : After powerwashing, and the keel full retracted ( 0.72m draught ) Thanks to Ruth White for the photographs;