June 2010: Newcastle

30 June 2010

As well as the routine antifoul and maintenance jobs during the month, Newcastle yard has been very busy on two major projects including the Cheoy Lee 43' ketch "Sundowner" and the Lidguard 50 "Santana 3".

The "Sundowner" rigs were removed, and deck and cabin top was stripped of fittings, prepared , primed and repainted. With the rigs re-stepped the boat now looks as good as new.

Instantly replacing Sundowner in the shed was "Santana" - this boat has a deadline of July 19 to make the start of the Sydney to Southport yacht race. The job entails removal of the lifting keel and case, which will be replaced with a new fixed keel along with a new hull framing structure to support the keel, all of which has been designed by Andy Dovell. New rudder bearings will be fitted, and the deck has also been stripped for a total repaint and replaced with new non-skid surface. The rig has been removed & will be re-stepped on.

Pic: Sundowner deck during stripping & preparation