Keelblack-DIY Blacking Case Study-Pooh Sticks 3rd-5th Jun 2015

Author: Frank Wilson- Owner of Poohsticks Page 1

Heading Description

Boat Name Pooh Sticks

Date of this report 7th June 2015

Type Steel Narrowboat

Dimensions 70 ft x 6 ft 10 ins (21.33m x 2.08m) 0.93 metres from base plate to gunnels (This was the top extent of where the coating was applied to) Approximate surface area covered 21.3 x 0.93 = 19 m2 per side x 2 coats = 79 sqm

Brief background Poohsticks was first launched in 2005 and has been well cared for by previous owners. Current owner purchased the boat in Jan 2015 with full survey. Hull showed signs of pitting but was in generally good order throughout. The Surveyors reported stated Hull Sides: Originally 6mm plate, ultrasonic measurements show the sides at 6.0mm with no wear. A little pitting is present amidships at 0.3mm deep; one pit was found at 0.7mm. Notable corrosion is present at the galley sink outlet, after hammer testing and grinding smooth this area measured 5.2mm. Light corrosion is also present at the water line.

Last blacking Stated by previous owner to be 2011 no evidence to support this though.

Synopsis Current owners chose to use the new Keelblack product. Poohsticks was booked into the Dry Dock facility at Braunston (Union Canal Carriers Ltd) for 0800 hrs 3rd June to 1700 5th June. The boat was successfully dry docked and prepared for the blacking process to begin. Jet Washing commenced at 11:00 and was completed in 3 hours.

Time Event

Day 1 11:00 - 3rd June

Start jet washing

14:00 End jet washing

Lunch Break

15:00 Inspection of the hull and scraping + wire brushing as necessary. Note very little was required.

15:50 Start of Keelblack application by small foam roller by 2 people.

17:50 Completion of Keelblack application. 1st coat applied in 2 hrs by 2 people making meticulous attention to ensuring all surfaces were adequately coated. By the time the last areas were coated the first areas appeared to be completely dry although still not fully cured, to be expected as it had only been maximum 2 hours drying.

Day 2 08:00 - 4th June

1st coat inspected: Fully dry in all areas including thicker parts eg junction of side plate to base plate.

10:00 2 coat applied completed at in 1 hr 40 minutes by 2 people.

Day 3 08:00 – 5th June

Boat refloated and exit dry dock.

Keelblack-DIY Blacking Case Study-Pooh Sticks 3rd-5th Jun 2015

Author: Frank Wilson- Owner of Poohsticks Page 2

Observations The whole process went faster than expected primarily due to three factors 1. Ease of application as we did not need to wait for the hull to be fully

dry before applying the first coat 2. The ease with which Keelblack could be applied and good coverage 3. The speed in which the coating dried to an acceptable level to

enable the boat to be re floated. Additional observations 4. No unpleasant odours or dangerous fumes 5. No specialist clothing or equipment required 6. Ease of clean-up due to water soluble nature 7. Overall cost and time saving.

On leaving the dry dock it was observed that no “oil slick” was present behind the boat as with some other oily type coating. Very little material splashed or dripped off the boat during the application process. Spills on hands was easily removed by water when wet or by white spirit when dry.

Coating quantities In total just 9 litres of material were required to do 2 full coatings each side giving coverage of approx. 80 sq metres in total or +/- 9 sqm per litre.

IMAGE GALLERY

Initial cleaning

Anodes - barnacles and fouling

Keelblack-DIY Blacking Case Study-Pooh Sticks 3rd-5th Jun 2015

Author: Frank Wilson- Owner of Poohsticks Page 3

Corrosion around drain

Pitting revealed after pressure wash

Keelblack required kit

First coat applied by roller

Keelblack-DIY Blacking Case Study-Pooh Sticks 3rd-5th Jun 2015

Author: Frank Wilson- Owner of Poohsticks Page 4

First coat stern counter

Good cover on exhaust/ sink drain pitting

Second coat port bow

Second coat starboard bow

Keelblack-DIY Blacking Case Study-Pooh Sticks 3rd-5th Jun 2015

Author: Frank Wilson- Owner of Poohsticks Page 5

Second coat bow anodes

Clean up – water soluble!

Float-out after 24 hours curing