Blacking

Muriel came out of the water on the 14th of November  to have her hull blacked - the protection her steel needs against corrosion.  Pillings Lock carried out the work for us and we are very pleased with the result.  Not least with the fact that the sacrificial anodes are still in reasonable condition after nearly four years - a testament, maybe, to the marina itself if there is little electrolysis going on.  Pilings Lock also fitted a copper sleeve in the cup at the bottom of the tiller shaft - there had been a lot of play which allowed vibration in the tiller arm.  

The procedure to get her out involved a large, hydraulic trolley pulled by a tractor.  The trolley`s rams adjust the relative height front to rear and keep the boat as level as possible. We lightened M - minimum fuel and water, and a pump-out - in order to lessen the risk of distortion and she seems to have come through the experience well.  And, after an end of season polish and touch-up (previous post) she`s looking great.

M will probably spend the winter on her mooring now as I think it unlikely we will venture out before next spring.

M`s stern showing rudder, prop and one of four anodes

She was on the hard for about a week having the blacking done. Thankfully the weather was dry (although Pillings Lock Marina do have large workshop she could have gone into) so the work progressed uninterrupted.  We could have stayed on board (some do, especially if they are doing the work themselves) but the lady in the black fur coat is getting on and would have struggled with the climb up.  So we just popped in to see her refloated and headed back to Devon.

On the trolley - M prepares to be refloated

Off her trolley - nearly.  M being relaunched

Me, M and the lady in the black fur coat