End of Hard Work in Guaymas

Has it been half a month already? The past 2.5 weeks have been filled with work - cleaning, prepping for paint, painting, then more cleaning.

Doesn't this look like fun?

Finn power washes the hull in preparation for new paint.

All the new steel gets 2 coats of yellow zinc stromate epoxy.

Next, two coats of anti-corrosion barrier paint for steel.

Cochetti comes to inspect our painting of his welded steel!

The white is a high-build barrier epoxy primer.
We used the same paint inside the boat.
First, we repeatedly syringed paint into about 2 dozen holes
to block water from getting in between the old and new steel.
Then, we applied a coat to all exposed steel throughout the interior.

Finally, the new steel received the good stuff -
(and the most toxic!) - copper-based anti-fouling paint.

There's still more painting! In preparation, Stephan and I power wash
and scrub the rest of the bottom of the hull for one more coat
of the good stuff. We are filthy!

The bottom is done!!! The final coat is dark blue

copper-based anti-fouling paint.

Can you see the welds? Good, neither can we!

She is finally ready to go in the water.
A giant sling picks her up off her stands,

last minute paint is applied and transport begins.

This is a scary moment for any boat owner.

The Travel Lift

The Ways

After careful driving, Wildflower is positioned in the ways!

She is in the water! Will the engine start?

Will we make it through the shallow, narrow channel?

Did the Captain remember to plug the remaining hole?

Yes, Yes and Yes!

Wildflower pulls safely away -

happy again in the water!

We say good-bye to our yard-mates, Ted and Richard.

Thanks for all your help, advise and humour!

A well-earned day off! The boys get hair cuts.

They all approve of their new looks and

the barber takes a sigh of relief!

Where's her margarita?

Finn and Millie have learned to play together, tug o' war and hide 'n seek.

They are evenly matched!

Finn and his new "abuela", our angelic landlady, Tina!

Thanks for renting your beautiful space to us.

The scorpion Mom caught on the bathroom wall - yikes!

We are at a dock with a gutted boat to clean and put back together.

Copious amounts of soap and water make a dent on the yard

dust and grime. Mom stocks the boat and feathers the nest inside;

Dad prepares the boat for sea. It is good to be home again!

This is what six weeks in the yard has done to my husband!

Wildflower is ready for cast off....

AND SO ARE WE!!!

We are headed south about 530 nautical miles to Bandaras Bay!

There are fish to catch, warmer waters to dive in, waiting surf,

friends to see and rest to be had! More in a few weeks!