Busy Week on C'est la Vie and Sunset Island

Last week was a blur of activity all of which is drawing us closer to casting off and cruising for a couple years. 

We are in the process of moving out/off of Sunset Island, our residence for the last 8 winters and for all practical purposes our home base.  My parents drove down from North Carolina to assist with the transition and to shuttle some of our belongings northward (Thank you!).  

C'est la Vie also drew much of our attention last week.  Every morning began with a couple hours of sanding on the cabin truck.  The week started with 80 grit paper on fairing filler and ended with 400 grit paper on Interlux Brightsides.
  

One coat of Interlux PreKote on the cabin trunk.  The unpainted areas on top will be covered with Kiwi-Grip non-skid.

Completing sanding in the morning allowed us to apply primer / paint midday when our tarps cast the entire cabin in shadow. 

The companionway slider and turtle with two coats of Brightside Paint.  The center of the turtle is primed for Kiwi-Grip.

We removed  turtle & companionway slider, and worked on them inside.  These pieces were one day ahead of the boat (i.e. primer, paint, and non-skid went one on day before the boat.)  This allowed us to become more familiar with the products prior to moving onto C'est la Vie. 

Neither of us had previously worked with Kiwi Grip so the ability to practice on smaller areas prior to tackling the top of the cabin was particularly helpful.

Anne spreading Kiwi Grip on the cabin top.  I would soon follow with a textured roller.

The Kiwi Grip proved to be a pleasure with which to work.  It goes on in one coat, is forgiving, dries quickly, and cleans up with warm water.  Compared to the process of painting with the Interlux or Awlgrip Products - multiple coats, lots of sanding, proprietary chemicals to thin / clean, and long overcoat times  the Kiwi Grip is a dream.  I know we are comparing apples to oranges, but  Anne and I jokingly discussed simply painting everything above the toe rail with Kiwi Grip.  Now what remains to be seen is the durability of the Kiwi Grip.

Painting completed on the cabin trunk.  Next up are the decks.

Nearly two weeks ago, 13 days, we began this project by stripping hardware off the deck.  The handrails, turtle, dodger, etc. still need to be re-installed, but it is wonderful to be able to step back this morning and feel a sense of accomplishment.

C'est la Vie shows off her new topsides paint and solar vent fan.

More images and details about this project are available in our photo album: Painting Cabin Trunk - Spring 2013

Our efforts during the week were not limited to painting or packing.  During the drying times we installed the new solar powered vent fan in the head, continued work re-finishing the cabin sole, and installed the PV charge controller in the electrical panel.   I will likely pen additional posts about these installations, but images and details are now available in photo albums...

Solar Vent Fan Install - Spring 2013
Refinishing the Cabin Sole - Winter 2013
Solar Power Install - Spring 2013

Back to work...