Restoring KINDNESS

Written By Diane Merck

Since we purchased KINDNESS, we have been in the process of restoring her. However, when we hauled her out this last time, it was heart breaking to see the condition of her hulls. We worked both day and night to restore her to her true form.

Bridgeton Boatworks

As the boat emerged from the water, our hearts sank. The sight before us was a tragic testament to what happens when anti-foul paint looses its effectiveness. KINDNESS had succumbed to the relentless grip of the harshness of the marine environment.

As she sat in the lift, out of her natural element, we could feel a palpable heaviness in the air. The boat seemed to reflect the weight of her neglected hulls, a shadow of her former self. It was a daunting sight that left us questioning our decision to go to New England where the haul out options are scarce delaying our attention to her needs. The work required to bring KINDNESS back to its true beauty seemed insurmountable. The hours of work would be numerous and unforgiving. Layers of old paint and barnacles needed to be painstakingly sanded away, and new anti-foul paint applied. Her props would need to be sanded and painted. The gel-coat would need to be buffed, polished, and waxed.

But amidst the overwhelming task at hand, a glimmer of hope emerged. Beneath the scars and blemishes, we glimpsed the essence of what KINDNESS is – a vessel capable of breathtaking grace and boundless adventure. This, coupled with the yearning in our hearts to breathe new life into her timeworn hulls, pushed us forward, undeterred by the obstacles that lay ahead.

kindness-diane-bootstripe

So, the restoration work began. It was a labor of love, filled with countless hours of sanding, buffing, polishing, waxing, and painting often leading well into the night. The sound of the buffing and the smell of fresh paint permeated the air as each step brought KINDNESS closer to her former glory.

kindness-minions-side-project

When we attempted to paint the boot stripe, we did not have the right mixture of paint and thinner and it dripped and congealed and looked horrific. We had to sand the entire stripe off off and try again. This is often the case with boat projects but it can be and was demoralizing. Fortunately, Diane with great determination, masterly applied the second attempt.

As days passed, KINDNESS began to shed its worn-out appearance. Fresh coats of anti-foul paint restored vibrancy to the hulls, and the polished gelcoat gleamed once again under the sunlight. We even had our Jib Sail taken down inspected and repaired.

Kindness-sunset

The journey to restore KINDNESS to her true beauty was a challenging one. It tested our patience, skill, and determination. But as we stood back, marveling at the transformation, it was clear that the effort had been worthwhile. KINDNESS, once forsaken and forgotten, now stood as a testament to the power of restoration and the love that can breathe life into the worn and weathered.

As KINDNESS set sail, gracefully cutting through the waves, we couldn't help but feel a sense of profound satisfaction. The journey to restore her had not only bestowed her with her former glory and speed but also gifted us with a newfound appreciation for the strength and resilience of our own spirits. Perhaps a piece of ourselves was additionally restored.

3 Years of Boat Projects

  • Air Conditioning Duct - 02/21

  • Air Conditioning Hose - 02/21

  • Bilge Pump - 02/21

  • Blown Fuse - 02/21

  • Forepeak Port-light Latch - 02/21

  • New Forward Windows - 02/21

  • New Side Windows - 02/21

  • Panel Cleanup - 02/21

  • Rebuild Mast Clutch - 02/21

  • Refinish Cockpit Table - 02/21

  • Standing Rigging - 02/21

  • Salon-Couch Clean-up - 02/21

  • Sanded and Polished Corian Counters - 02/21

  • Trampoline Repair - 02/21

  • Escape Hatch Repair- 03/21

  • Replaced Both Heat Exchangers - 03/21

  • Replaced Helm RPM Panel - 03/21

  • Installed Engine Hour Meter - 03/21

  • Removed Previous Name and Marina Decal - 03/21

  • Repaired Step and Non-skid - 03/21

  • New Autopilot Transducer - 04/21

  • Cleaning Stainless - 05/21

  • Digital Refrigerator Thermometer - 05/21

  • Greasing The Mast - 05/21

  • Re-caulk Throttle - 05/21

  • Water Purification System - 05/21

  • Battery Terminal - 06/21

  • Cabin Reading Lights - 06/21

  • Fuel Cans (Minions) - 06/21

  • Chart Plotter Replacement - 06/21

  • Engine Impeller Replacement - 06/21

  • Repair Old Davit Screw Holes - 06/21

  • Replaced Steering Sheaves - 06/21

  • New Auto Pilot Controller - 06/21

  • Engine Starter Rebuild - 07/21

  • Window Blinds/Slides - 07/21

  • Dinghy Engine/Carburetor - 08/21

  • Head Repair - 08/21

  • New Dinghy Painter - 08/21

  • Engine Hose Replacements - 09/21

  • Generator Fuel Issue - 09/21

  • Mantis M2 86 lb Anchor - 09/21

  • Cockpit Lights - 10/21

  • Flourecent to LED Cabin Lights - 11/21

  • New Muffler - 11/21

  • Repair Forward Cleat Leak - 12/21

  • Repair Pulpit Leak - 12/21

  • Repair Pad-eye Leak - 12/21

  • Dinghy Engine Paint and Logo - 12/21

  • Fuel Gauge Replacement - 12/21

  • Portlight Gasket Repair- 12/21

  • Shade Corroded Snaps Replacement - 12/21

  • Vents/Drains Through-hull Port Side Repair 01/22

  • Impeller Casing Repair - 02/22

  • Windlass Control Box Repair - 02/22

  • New Dinghy Motor 2/22

  • Steaming Light Repair - 05/22

  • AIS Installed - 06/22

  • Gel-coat Repairs - 06/22

  • New Cabinet Door Latch - 06/22

  • Interior Fan Replacement - 06/22

  • New Nav Station Light - 06/22

  • Stereo Replacement - 06/22

  • New Vanity Light - 06/22

  • Tap Water Purification System -06/22

  • Replace Dinghy Davit Bolts - 07/22

  • Fix Electrical Shore Power Generator Settings - 07/22

  • Fix Refrigeration Compressor Stuck - 07/22

  • Engine Air Intake Falling Off Fix - 09/22

  • Added Fan to Inverter compartment - 11/22

  • Fix Steaming Light - 11/22

  • Enclosure Shade Snaps to Grommets - 11/22

  • Tuned Generator - 11/22

  • Recharged Refrigerator - 11/22

  • Fixed Solar Terminal - 11/22

  • Starboard SunShade for Hatch - 11/22

  • Fixed Swim Ladder Steps - 11/22

  • Hanging iPad for Movies in Bed - 11/22

  • Screen Door - 12/22

  • Starlink - 12/22

  • Fix Outdoor Shower Leak - 12/22

  • Replaced Wheel Grip - 12/22

  • Generator Coolant Leak - 01/23

  • Reseating Port Aft Hatch - 01/23

  • AC Softstart - 02/23

  • Paint Engines - 02/23

  • VHF Test - 02/23

  • Windlass Rebuild - 02/23

  • Fouled Prop Fishing Line - 03/23

  • Reseated Starboard Birth Hatches - 03/23

  • Added Weight to Refueling Hose - 04/23

  • Install Fishing Rod Hanger - 05/23

  • Fix iPad Stand - 05/23

  • Replace Transom Shower - 05/23

  • Replace Vanity Mirror Owners- 05/23

  • Sew Jib Sail Sun-guard - 05/23

  • Fix Port Through-hull Vent - 06/23

  • Fix Generator Waterpump/Gasket - 07/23

  • Fix Refrigerator - 07/23

  • Fix Fiberglass Anchor Damage - 07/23

  • Fix Starboard Engine Hose - 07/23

  • Sand and Bottom Paint - 11/23

  • Buff, Polish and Wax Hulls - 11/23

  • Repair Gel Coat and add Metal plate by Anchor- 11/23

  • Replace Through-hull for Transducer - 11/23

  • Updated Double Purchase Ties for Dinghy - 11/23

Diane Merck
Previous

Washing Machine
Next

Annapolis Sailboat Show 2023