12 May 2004: Breakwater Marina, Townsville

illywhacker is out on the hard as part of her "end of passage" refit. She has been stripped of all paint back to the original layer of epoxy - a long and dusty job by local man Rod and his boys. Surrounded by a large tent she sits out on the yard peninsular waiting for spraying to commence tomorrow. The weather is forecast to be perfect for the next 4 days so we should soon see the epoxy hi-build coat being applied followed by a vinyl bond-coat to key the 28 litres of antifoul below the waterline and a brilliant gloss coat of white polyurethane above. The engine has been fully reconditioned, the propellor shaft made true and the coupling and cutlass bearing renewed. The deckhead lining replacement job is almost finished and the new upholstery is stunning. All round we will eventually have a new boat - ready to sail the world again?