The beginning of each season starts inside the vessel, as I clean and sand the interior varnishwork. While it is still cold and wet outside, I am able to get a jump start on the yearly spring ritual. The last two weeks I have spent sanding the brightwork. Once prepped, I washed the interior down, and started the next morning on the first coat. The heaters start at 4:00 am, so that by the time that I get onboard at 6:30 the interior is warm. I am putting in a half hour each morning before getting ready for work. These half hours add up, and over the period of a few weeks I will have accomplished a great deal.

To prepare the wood I wipe it down with a tack cloth, and then a rag soaked with brushing liquid. All of this in preparation for the application of the varnish.
It is 90 percent preparation, 10 percent application.

So I have picked away at it, and over the weekend should have the entire interior coated with fresh varnish. I use the gloss on the solid teak, and the rubbed varnish for the bulkheads. There has been a frost on the ground each morning this week. I hope to get the cover off this weekend as well.
4-17-2008