SYMRA is a classic wooden sloop designed by John Alden and built by the Edison Vocational School in Seattle, Washington. She was launched in 1941, and has been in my family for 66 years.When I took over her stewardship from my father in 1974, I soon grew extremely frustrated with the quality of the paint lines I was achieving with masking tape. Unless that 1970s-vintage tape was applied with enough pressure, paint would seep under its edge and leave a mess; tape applied with enough pressure to prevent seepage often pulled away small pieces of the underlying freshly applied topside enamel when the tape was removed.
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Great article, learned a lot even after twenty years of wooden boat painting, varnishing and general maintenance. I, too, use Penetrol for the very reason that Mark points out, leveling and keeping the elusive “wet edge.” I was a little surprised that he is using a polyester-based product to glaze. I was always told that polyesters were a “no-no” for marine applications. His rationale for not using Bondo makes sense, so perhaps this Evercoat is a better product for life on the sea. Will have to try it.
Again, great article, good photos, well written.
Great article and impressive skills you have both in your work and describing your method. Thanks for sharing.
One question for you, if I may, is the cove piece painted with a Pettit product and what color is it known by?