In Spring 2006 I decided it was time to slip the boat out for pressure washing and re-blacking. This needs to be done every three years or so to keep the hull in good condition. The Antidote finally reached the top of the waiting list in September!

Here the trolley is being made ready on 6 Sept 2006 to slip The Antidote out. A steel cable, attached to the top of the trolley, feeds round a pulley at the top of the slipway and back down to a tractor. You can see the cable behind young Nick.






The tractor which pulls the trolley up the rails. It's a simple but effective system used at Weltonfield for slipping boats in and out of the water.

The four magnesium anodes seemed to be doing their job. There was some corrosion of the magnesium (which is what you want) but there was plenty of magnesium left so they didn't need replacing.











The propeller was in good shape too. No damage and no significant wear.

First, Young Nick (as distinct from Nick the boss) pressure washed the hull.

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After pressure washing, Nick confirmed that the hull looked good. However, the red paint at the stern had suffered due to frequent water contact, so it needed repainting.

Two views of The Antidote on the slipway after pressure washing

The Rylard Coflex Vinyl Tar used below the waterline.

The second picture shows the starboard side almost completed with the first of two coats. On the enlarged photo you can see more clearly the stern under-water section awaiting its coat of Coflex VT.

'The lads' returning from a tea break. The Antidote is on the left of picture.

The completed bows.

Of course, the magnesium anodes must not be overpainted, or they will lose their effectiveness.

The completed stern, with the red contracolour having been repainted by Phil, looking as good as new.

The rudder and skeg were re-blacked too.

Ready for the relaunch. Mark is there ready to start the engine. As the boat backs down the slipway during the relaunch the stern dips very low, and if the engine is not running there is a real risk of canal water getting into the engine through the exhaust system.

Entering the water as the tractor reverses up the slope and the trolley rolls down the rails.

Roger gives that "All right then guv?" look after tying up The Antidote on her mooring.

I had emptied the fresh water tank in the bows in order to repaint the tank with potable bitumen. Without 1½ tonnes of water up front to trim the boat, the stern sits very low.

After repainting the fresh water tank and waiting 24 hours for it to dry, it was a warm and sunny September day when I refilled the tank with drinking water.

The red paint is out of the water now that the stern has lifted, and the water level has settled in the middle of the rubbing strake, which is protected with 'Coflex' Vinyl Tar.

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