We RUINED our BOAT | Sailing Florence Refit Ep.174

Wrecking our boat was the painful first stage of fixing her problems so that we can set sail once more. 8 years ago we were searching for a boat to to take us around the world. But within that search most boats had major problems which were way outside of our budget, experience, and timescale to fix. We ran away from boats like that, but after 7 years of sailing around the world Florence now has some of those problems herself, and this time there is no avoiding them.
We have been sailing around the world for 7 years after setting off from England in 2016 on board our 37ft sail boat Florence. Join us as we share the highs, lows, and challenges of travelling around the world by boat, Sailing offshore across the Oceans and exploring remote locations with our own little tiny house. Boat life out at sea on the ocean and off the grid.
You can also follow us via our blog at www.sailwiththeflo.wordpress.com
Equipment:
Affiliate link: Get a free invisible selfie stick for the Insta 360 X3 here, the camera that we use to capture the drone-like shots when sailing offshore without a drone: www.insta360.com/sal/x3?insrc...
00:00 - Intro
00:25 - Looking for a Blue water cruising boat
01:15 - Moving under cover
03:38 - Removing toe rail
14:17 - Removing deck grip
20:40 - Lessons learned
21:54 - Next Time
#sailing #circumnavigation #sailingyachtflorence #boatlife #boatlifestyle #yachtlifestyle #boatyard #boatrepair #yachtrepair #syflorence
Music in order as played:
Back Entrance - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Peaceful Rising - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Go For More - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Modern Summer Party - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Funky Town - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced

[@tonym3339]

Great to see you both working toward your long term goals. A bit of advice (probably unwanted) it has been well researched and found that working 7 days a week will decrease your productivity not to mention possibly cause friction between you. Please take a day off each week, go out somewhere nice, enjoy each other's company and start the next day refreshed. Take this old timers advice and also enjoy the journey 😊.

[@nawyecannae53]

This was one of your best episodes. I know you didn’t have much choice but your resilience to get through this period is admirable. Everybody wants to be on the water, nobody wants to grinding and sanding. You really stuck to it. 👍

[@Anton-tf9iw]

Didn't have much choice? This Western male urge to have every inch in semi new condition is not universal, because it is overkill.

[@rolfpiotrowski4325]

@@Anton-tf9iw Stimmt! Man kann auch mit Notlösungen leben! Aber was ist das Resultat? Ein unzuverlässiges Bastelschiff, das dann im Ernstfall lebensgefährlich ist! Nicht umsonst sind MADE IN ENGLAND oder MADE IN GERMANY Qualitätsprädikate! 🤷‍♀

[@grantpedder7719]

*_A TIP FOR YOU GUYS._* I have found that if seald with a sealant like Sicaflex urethane, a hot air gun softens the sealant and the toe rail or through hull fitting comes loose without force or damage. Works well on glassfibre and not much heat required either.

[@stephenburnage7687]

I have done the same.

[@ferry6497]

You’re right: all are thermoplastic compounds and glues and will let go between 80_100 degrees C.

[@KeithCarmichaelInFL]

I am betting they wish you had said this earlier! LOL. It is a solid tip though!

[@chrisryan4452]

Just be a bit careful not to scorch exposed gel coat. Otherwise it works a treat.

[@alimitchell5346]

And using a cheese wire helps on thin slices....heat it first.

[@corujariousa]

For all the holes up deck, consider using drilling a slightly larger hole, filling them with thickened epoxy and then drilling the correct size hole into the epoxy. This way, even in case you have water intrusion, the core will not get affected (epoxy works as barrier). For the deck grip, I believe you can make your own with a type of thick paint (not sure about the name of the product). You'd have to cut out templates so the aesthetic will good and paint on their inside. In the end, you'll have rough surfaces in the design pattern you want. Good luck with the renovation!

[@awuma]

Yes, standard practice for any holes involving cored deck or topsides. Good idea also for solid fibreglass to prevent wicking. Also, for old holes not properly sealed, all wet core should be removed, hollow volume dried, and filled with epoxy, perhaps with chopped fibres and/or microballoons, and then re-drilling as for holes above.

[@tomcraddock244]

Drilling then epoxy is great advice aka sailing RAN

[@robertnixon3816]

Some of the extra work involved is a testament to how well Florence was built in the first place! She's a stout yacht that has taken you far and provided safety for you. Returning the love and caring is a good thing! She has lots and lots of miles to go! Carry on!

[@hughburton4175]

Three mates and I own a yacht and together we have excellent hand skills. When we work on the yacht we calculate how long we think the job will take and then multiply it by six! By the way, your editing skills are excellent. To think you have all this maintenance to do and you still produce such excellent videos is impressive.

[@dakardad1]

Thanks for NOT doing the work on 150 episodes. Just the important bits.

[@elizabethmiddleton5613]

Amen to this

[@RocksOff72]

But, but the AlgOriThM!

[@martinbeaumont1135]

I would have happy with half a dozen or so episodes😅

[@ScottS360]

I know it took a TON of hard work, but Florence is looking great! I'm surprised that you didn't buy or borrow an oscillating multi-tool for use when removing the toe rail and the deck grip. I can't think of anyone I know who works on their own boat who doesn't own one! You can buy flexible scraper blades and sealant removal blades that are the equivalent of the hand tools you're using. I know you're trying to do the refit on a budget, but some judicious tool purchases can make the different between finishing a job and giving up, or between (almost?) enjoying it and being miserable. Best of luck!

[@timothydunn5889]

"The perfect job for today as it's not temparature dependent". As always with Amy, the glass is half full. Soldier on.❤

[@kindsailing]

You will be much happier with the new toe rail and it will be so much better for the boat to really repair the entire boat surface under the toe rail. Scraping off the treadmaster was also probably as fast as trying to grind it off all told. Both of these jobs are huge, but you made the right decision to do them. Great episode! Namaste.🙏

[@humanafterall2076]

Stainless steel wire like a guitar string makes a brilliant little cutter for adhesive in the place of the toe rails

[@maynardsammons1538]

I've also heard that braided fishing line can also cut through adhesive without damaging gelcoat, although I haven't tried it.

[@jaakkokorhonen]

And if that doesn't work directly, use a hot air blower. Most of the time trying out different ways of working, clocking how long the options take, and sleeping on it before doing the actual work, helps find the more efficient way.

[@workingdogcentre]

One hell of a job. Well done. Remember the old adage. "If you think it's going to take 1 day - triple it!"

[@chrisjones9089]

When you are finished Florence will be a much better boat. Dont despair you will get there! HYC was my base for many years. Had my boat painted and refurbished by Richard in that shed a few years ago when the roof leaked! My boat is a catamaran called Cloud9. I used to have some treadmaster on my boat but replaced it with Kiwigrip which is a paint system that is a bit like a thick yoghurt....you use a special roller that raises the surface to be as grippy as you want. Brilliant stuff....sticks like #### to a blanket! I managed to get some on polished stainless steel and it simply won't come off! It fills minor holes well and the rollers just wash out with water. It's expensive at 70 quid a can but it's the best deck coating I have ever used....Richard can probably get you a good deal!

[@baldwinleatherworks]

I love watching the rebuilding of Florence. I found this video very educational and entertaining! Great job you two. I’m so glad we live in a time as we do, for you to were able to document this journey. When you get old and grey like me, you’ll look back, so cherish these times . I now, just an armchair sailor after 6 back surgeries. I spent my youth sailing the Northern Atlantic Coastal . with my family and a big Labrador retriever, who is terrified of the water, on a Balboa 8.2 meter sloop that was not an appropriate boat for cold Atlantic blue water cruising. Yes, the four of us and a big dog on that small narrow sailboat. Yes it was nut when I think back, but I wouldn’t trade those memories and experience for anything in this world. Can’t wait to watch your progress. Take care of each other and enjoy your journey ❤❤❤❤

[@cestusfr]

i cannot wait for the 9 meter toe rail bending session!

[@TomMcGlinn-ci1ev]

You guys are great! Thanks for letting us see your voyages! On a safety note - please set up a scaffold for working on the hard. Time and money but it’s worth it.

[@grahamatsea3575]

You're doing a great job 👏. You are so lucky in having managed to find an indoor shed that allows owners to work.

[@rogerbayzand4455]

I have laid quite a few square metres of Treadmaster using their two pack epoxy adhesive but never really thought about the poor blighters that might have to remove it one day! It really is an excellent product that has really stood the test of time on Florence. Congratulations on doing an excellent job removing it, if you are thinking of paint and want a truly hard wearing non slip surface then gelcoat sprinkled with ceramic blasting grit is excellent. I have used this on the decks of commercial vessels that have a lot of foot traffic and it outlasted any other treatment. For a yacht I would use a fine grade of grit, first roll on the waxed gelcoat, evenly sprinkle on the grit then roll over it again to imbed the particles.

[@pnwcruiser]

I'm refitting a similar vintage sailboat (1979 S2 11.0 A) and oh boy can I relate. Thanks for sharing your effort and the challenges you find. Nice work!

[@brad4908]

Funny to read all these comments from regular people, living regular lives, advising people with a proven extraordinary appetite and capacity how to pace their lives. I say follow your own spirits - you’re doing amazing things that most people don’t even imagine! Finish with no fuel left in the tank ❤

[@Bruin4Life]

Wow, all of your hard work and hours of effort are starting to show thru. I know that Florence will be like a new boat when you have finished your retrofit.

[@Sailing.Poor.Richard]

To add to the helpful comments, I found a 'Sonic Crafter' or equivalent oscillating tool with a sharp scraper blade on it is brilliant to deal with SikaFlex or (in the US) 3M 4200 or 5200. I often have to replace the bow bumpers on the FJ and 420 racing dinghies, that has made that job easy instead of such a pain I would avoid it at all cost! The battery operated ones are nice for remote work. Sorry to be late with this helpful tip...

[@micheldawes1]

Hey guys, long time subscriber (And admirer!) A quick tip - a reciprocating saw will get in between the toe rail and the deck and with a metal saw blade (i.e. small toothed blade) this will make very short work of the Sika, or whatever adhesive/sealant was between… Hope this is timely advice and hope it helps. If you’re unwilling to buy a new ‘Recipro’ you may find a commercial hire business that is more financially viable… 👍👍🤞😁

[@rickpyne]

Hi Guys, you have definitely taken on some of the hardest jobs. I have had to do the same on a 32ft M&W sloop, taking off the Toerails. I have used a few methods that might help seal new rails securely, 1/ I taped off all holes with masking tape to stop leakage then filled every hole with the use of a syringe filled with thickened epoxy. Then drill undersized new holes that will fit new toerail position exactly, then these holes will be tapped with thread to fit new holes , countersunk and filled with Butyl to ensure no leaks. 2/ S/S bolts will require plastic caps to help prevent corrosion on new toerail , add that to cost of new bolts becomes expensive. I bought Aluminium bolts, nuts and washers with Allen key heads from China that will help stop corrosion. 3/ Deck Non Slip. You now know how hard it is to remove. All non-skid wears and gets damaged needing to be repaired at some stage. As I am on a Very tight budget on my total refit and Products such as Kiwigrip etc are very expensive, I decided to use a completely natural product-Raw sugar crystals to create a non skid effect. Rolled on thick layer of topcoat to non-skid areas, broadcast with sugar crystals before paint sets, when set recoat with topcoat. This makes the surface required. Once dried and hardened a light sand just to cut the tops off the raised surface wash with water and scrubbing brush to remove sugar. This leaves small craters that act like a small suction cup when walked on. Easily sanded for repair and lost cost, be prepared to be flyblown until you get rid of all the sugar. I would like to hear your comments on these approaches and hope that they may help. Keep you vids coming Guys Good luck

[@janblackie2637]

Kudos to you two. Around the world without a big fuss like some other channels. You also work on the boat in calm collected way. You're not out to make the max number of episodes with no substance... Real sailors. Keep it up!

[@cutaway7405]

Sorry you have expanding jobs! You are both young, strong, and up for the labour as you know the prize is sailing to Beautiful places!! Your videos are Great! You have a good handle on making videos and we've enjoyed all of them!😊

[@mattkellerchannel2265]

You Guys are relentless. Nothing but admiration and if I had some extra money I would send it your way but we barely get by anymore. Your Videos make my Day. Matthew Keller

[@richardclegg8027]

Actually feel very sad for little Florence seeing her cooped up like this. We've watched maybe 80 hours of Florence bobbing about in blue oceans. Hopefully in real time the worst is over. (I think it looks hopeful when I read patreon updates).

[@alexmacleod6732]

Been watching you from port Hardy British Columbia. I'm a mechanic who wants to try sailing one day. I started watching, Uma, gbu, parlay and Florence. I find the boat building/refitting very interesting to watch. It's as interesting if not more interesting than the sailing. My wife and I spent a year rebuilding a 1979 searay power boat....bought it for 12000, when we were done the total bill was 95000. Boat work seems to take 3x longer than you estimate and 3x more expensive. But well worth it when you do the work yourself. Good luck.

[@cloreenbrown100]

Back in the 90s we did a 8 year circumnavigation in our Duncanson 35, along the way we also had corrosion in the toe rails, also had a timber laid deck which I relaid.. not at the same time. My comment is that we got right away from the alloy toerails and fitted a timber section, lasted well and no leaks or corrosion. Really admire you two not only for your whole approach to cruising and what you have acheaved sofar. Best regards from Australia, Phil and Cloreen Brown yacht Manukai 2

[@jhunternissen0]

I salute your persistence and incredible patience to refit Florence! Both of your are an inspiration for all deep-water sailors. Two beautiful and dedicated people. Enjoy the upcoming journey! Cheers from sunny Chiang Mai.

[@morecowbell20]

I know I need a nap now, after watching that mammoth amount of work! On another note, as a Canadian I find 2 degrees Celsius a pretty good temperature to do manual labour. Great video you two! Thanks

[@SailingSquib]

Welcome to the world of boat refitters!

[@MrBertHeylen]

So nice that you guys want to bring this aging boat back to perfect condition with so much love. I am a fan! I don't know if there is still that option, but I would scrape away the gelcoat on the deck and then build it back up with epoxy. Stronger, longer life, and most importantly, better against water seepage. To remove I used a good tool. It si on mu YT video's.

[@awuma]

Perhaps careful sandblasting? Of course, Matt and Amy can't do that in that shed...

[@paulmorley9910]

Great to see you both restoring her with so much care! You're both good people, so many others would choose to sell on their issues to unsuspecting others nowadays. Your reward will be peace of mind when she's looking fantastic and you know all the work has been carried out to such a high standard! I think you might even be glad you sorted that toe rail eventually too 😊 Great video!

[@user-ns9hk9nm7y]

I am not sure if you have found a nonskid deck replacement yet. I did a project on my boat last spring, I used a product called "Raptor Deck". It's a Seattle Washington USA company, an excellent product, wonderful people to work with, they really support DYI people!

[@soleromac21]

Who needs a gym? Looks like you’re getting quite a workout before your next adventure! Wish you, Amie, Matt and Florence well! Positive you all will be in top form for your next outing!

[@wayneanderson1641]

I'm glad your wife doesn't play the violin! Your wife is a hard worker 👍

[@davidnichols147]

What an exceptionally brilliant work blog, so nice to see Florence inside after 6,000NM of sailing, she deserve some tender love and care. Speaking of which, 7 days a week will certainly get you tired and when you get tired, mistakes are made. Consider spending some quality time with friends and family, relaxing with a good book, or attending your local theater on a date night. You both deserve a much needed break after recording, editing which is always perfect, and just the "hum drum" of physical labor. Florence looked quite different after the non-skid was removed, much wider somehow?

[@stephenburnage7687]

My boat buddy (an ex shipright) has the theory that all boats have to be rebuilt every seven years. Obviously, some parts last longer and some less, but that his view of the average. My experience, with my own boat, is that is about right. Sounds like you are confirming that too.

[@dmitripogosian5084]

Are you talking about ocean-going boats ? Coastal cruisers don't need a major rebuild that often, in my experience. Perhaps depends on location as well.

[@stephenburnage7687]

@dmitripogosian5084 The UV and the temperatures apply, whether you are at anchor or sailing but I would suggest that the 7 year figure is the extrene end of the range, for boats in the tropics or maybe Florida. Boats in Alaska seem to deteriorate much slower.

[@kimberlyonseastar]

@@dmitripogosian5084 no coastal cruising going on with Florence!

[@bencompton799]

Your resilience and determination make you both a force to be reckoned with. Amy, you are such a trooper! My father always told me that if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing right, and you both exemplify that credo. I'm so proud of you both and find you utterly inspirational. Well done.

[@AHmad-pm4pb]

Patience Amy & Matt. You can do it. Its better to reseal again. You will have a peace of mind the next time you are crossing the vast ocean. 👍👍👍

[@mattw785]

You two are THOROUGH. Good work!

[@UAPJedi]

Great work by both of you, not only do you have to contend with this work but you have to produce these amazing videos. People just don't realise how long it takes to make a video, when I was doing some for the business I worked in it was taking about an hour of editing for every minute of video that didn't include the work required to make the video. Great work.

[@stevelambert7496]

I know you guys don't like to do boat maintenance videos but I enjoyed seeing what it takes to keep florence going. Thanks for sharing

[@billb2176]

All power to you guys, you are a great team and inspiring to watch.

[@justsomeguy6474]

A monumental task it is. You'll feel a great sense of accomplishment when you're done. One day at a time and you got this!!!

[@BH195829]

You two are incredible! Such amazing Team Work! Much love. 👍😊💖🌎

[@wcads623]

Should have warmed the deckgrip with a heat gun prior to removal or use a multi tool with a blade.

[@user-jt1od3oj8j]

You 2 are such a great team!

[@fionahartery5255]

You are doing a great job, no corners cut. X

[@DAVIDMILLER-nc9vo]

It's so very pleasant to hear such detail in proper grammar! I look forward. to every episode and view some of them more than once. Thanks for your excellent videos! It would be interesting to know what the cost is of pulling the boat up, un-masting it, moving it around, etc. Boat yards are not cheap.

[@sailingmarilynkaye]

You guys are doing an awesome job, keep up the great work.

[@beasawade6032]

I admire your courage and energy ❤ keep going it will give a lot of satisfaction

[@andrewmoylan6295]

Great videos, sailing Florence crew. Get down and dirty and to the point , She'll be seaworthy in no time with your great teamwork and persistence . Great work.

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Amazing work both of you, so inspiring as always. Well done on all fronts.

[@timadams2923]

LIKE WATCHING THE REPAIRS

[@user-zp6vy3sz7o]

Hard graft! Respect to you both. Worth every minute of the great adventures had and more to come. Push through the hard times, after this you are capable of anything. You have to endure the hard times to appreciate the GREAT times. Best wishes! Andrew

[@stuartbrown5783]

your resilience and organisation is remarkable. It'll be greatwhen it's done. Keep going! 🙂

[@taxpayer1040]

Big respect to you both for your stubbornness!! This is as much a restoration of your home as a boat and therefore when on voyage you will look at every damn part with the memories of doing it and the relief of a job well done. The other boats in the yard look interesting particularly what looked like a Fairey Huntsman (or Swordsman) alongside. My Dad had one briefly near 60 years ago but went back to a C&N.

[@micheldawes1]

@16:25; Ironically, here in Sydney, the weather is also appalling too! We’ve already had 50mm (Two inches!) of rain overnight and now it’s getting heavier this morning! (And this is our “Summer”) Fortunately the temperature is still around 19 degrees Celsius! 👍😁

[@timallen6025]

Great hands on work guys , you both use hand tools beautifully .. AND you’ve made videos so carefully too .. respect. She’ll be a good un and afloat and DONE RIGHT

[@user-gt2ud2gw9e]

When Florence was built, you weren't to know about replacement tow-rails, etc. but with hindsight, the boat builders could have advised you to produce spare parts for the future which you could have kept at your parents house. And that list would have included things like a copy tow-rail with exactly the same measurements.

[@ingostahlmann484]

..what a work! You do it well❤

[@gidge34]

Y’all got this💪❤️❤️

[@ingriddoorn1201]

Mammoth job but you are doing a fantastic job! And think of the reward at the end: she will not only look absolutely amazing, she will also be safe to sail around the artic!

[@rolfpiotrowski4325]

Immer ein paar gute Tricks auf Lager! 😃👍

[@WernerHolzmann]

Keep faith! Once you have completed this ‘somewhat extensive’ refit you will savour the joy of a new toe rail and will quickly forget the gruelling work you have put in. PS: Next to all the free advice you are getting, here’s my contribution… Get yourself some really good tools plus excellent dust extraction and …working pants with knee protection. Once those knees start hurting, it’s too late and they will be grateful by the time you start your next 50.000 miles journey…

[@AhmedYoussef-kd9nc]

Great teamwork. Happy that its sailing related and you guys are dressed.....for the weather

[@ChrisHudsonVlogs]

Not sure if you noticed, when you pulled off that first toe rail the deck / top layer of gel coat lifted / moved. Maybe something to look at, or maybe not. Could be the start of some de lamination where water has got in? Probably fine just something I spotted. Great video though, I really enjoy these refit videos

[@chrisnegele6875]

Just wow have followed you two from probably your 10th video and this project has me feeling your pain. I know you two will get through it but sending positive vibes your way.

[@TomTremayne]

I think what Amy said at the end of this video was maybe just a bit of post-project blues, fatigue & a result of the sheer physical pain of chipping off substrates, sanding them back, cleaning, sanding again & still not seeing it look perfect. I used to restore cars & sometimes the long way round is the best, & indeed, the only way. An industrial sander would have made a real mess of the gelcoat, would have damaged fittings, they're also heavy, dangerous, noisy, expensive to hire & it may not have even saved any time. You did OK guys, more than OK in fact! (A heat gun played on the toe-rail may have softened-up the Sikaflex & maybe the bonding on the deck-grip too........heat melts glue)

[@sisselnilsen4699]

I wish Ihad met my own greatgrandfather, a sailing sea captain who died in Thames near London 1903..buried where Pocahontas sleep, I have read. His cargo was ICE

[@seniorsdesflots]

Bravo, you had no others good solutions to get a boat without leak, and a safety deck. Now you know the time you need to get the good result. Next time, you think a time like this time, and you X 3. That’s simple. 😅😅😅😅 I had worked in my yard when I was younger, to do exactly that job. I was the boss and worked like you, too. I X 2 the time to reach the good result. You are right to change the aluminium rail, that’s the secure and simple way. We watch all your videos from 5 years and love them very much. Continue…. You are good sailors. Patrick and Sylvie, SV Croix du Sud . ❤

[@davek4442]

Great video and I know what your going through. I helped my dad replace a Keel on a mahogany cabin cruiser that was heavy damaged. I was about 12 years old and I remember I didn’t have much of summer that year. We had to do the work outside and summer was the only option where we live on the Great Lakes. I enjoyed your segments and wish you the best, just keep the spirits up as you get through it. Cheers Dave

[@keithwignall1428]

Looking good!

[@anoaradura3967]

Lets go,good job.

[@glockparaastra]

Chin up guys. It will be worth it in the end! Good luck.

[@cianclarke]

As somebody with a 1985 boat of similar construction, also having to replace toe rail right now, it was a real struggle. I presume the Italian company you mentioned is Osculati, which unfortunately didn't fit my boat. Gioti are also offering to do a limited production run for those in need of new rail.

[@sd3693]

My heart sank watching this video. The aft sections of our toe rail are badly corroded, and we have massive water ingress in a number of spots, so we have that whole job to do as well, and you've just confirmed that the job is going to be as nasty and time-consuming as I had feared. Good luck for a prompt and reliable solution!

[@chadd9637]

MULTI TOOL is your friend. I have removed a decent amount of PVA foam and it is the only way to go. Then I usually soak what is left with adhesive remover and scrape that off with a putty knife. It's not fun work and I didn't envy you.

[@curmudgeon573]

I think you two are amazing. There is absolutely no way a short cut would give you the same result as all of your hard work.

[@nigelmorgan3449]

Hi guys your doing a cracking job keep it up because in the end you’ll be able to sit back and know shes safe and ready for next big adventure.

[@ibrahimalshammari5773]

Great job.

[@kevinroesler1441]

Keep up the great work! By the end of this effort, you will have an intimate knowledge of every square inch of your boat, which will be incredibly helpful when you set out on your next adventure.

[@vaughansamuelson6552]

Very interesting as usual. Keep it up.

[@patrickball3403]

this is a great video. I've never fixed a boat, but I've gutted and remodeled a few old houses (well, old for America, maybe not old by UK standards). Feels similar. It's funny how digging back to the bones of a giant structure, cutting out and replacing rot, changes how you look at every house (or boat) after that.

[@nooneanybodyknows7912]

The woulda, shoulda, coulda's, of life. Hindsight is always 20-20. Thank you for not boring us with every detail and focusing on the important ones. Keep the faith. In time, you will be back to enjoying Florence and the freedom of open ocean sailing. 💨⛵️

[@stephenburnage7687]

They are a bit disappointed today but I guarantee you, they would have found similar, if not more serious, issues with almost any other boat.

[@ReefRunner1]

Really enjoying these videos! Better to do it right than to have to keep doing it every 18 months. I'm glad you took the time to do it right. Corrosion never gets better and the only fix is to grind it out, cut it out, and see what you have left. You did exactly the right thing. I eyeballed it as it was coming out and turned to my wife and said "I really hope they replace the entire toe rail." 40+ years aviation working with aluminum here. Now we only hope that you don't take any shortcuts making the deck strong and reassembling it! Then you can count on a decade or more before you have any major issues with that again. Positivity! Do these things while you are young and strong!! PS: Almost everything takes 3 times longer than we hope for... it's normal.

[@hahaha9076]

Well done, guys. That's hard, graft. Always harder the first time you've done anything. I believe you made the right choice. Half measures would not give you the confidence you will have from doing it properly.

[@mikemartin6790]

I know your skilled sailors, there is a whole world of power tools that you can use that would help to reduce the time and effort taken, yes skill is required to use them but is easily learnt. Multitools, hacking knife, impact drivers and impact wrenches would smash these problems. I work in construction and I’ve also maintained/refitted boats.

[@DeanColegate]

Really interesting episode 🙂 Working in cold temperatures like that is pretty grim so hats off to you both. Sorry to hear the toe rail saga cause sleepless nights 😟. Thanks for the 'lessons learned' section at the end as that can really help others (maybe me!).

[@roguesailing8052]

Great vid guys 👌 going to replace my deck grip soon thanks for the tips 👌

[@murphyrp01]

Another great video guys. I do wish you had some kind of fall protection when you are working on deck. It looks like a slip or trip and off the side you go. Take care

[@christopherhutchings9621]

2nd post, sorry y'all but PLEASE show this process! Been following you for years and y'all always surprise and amaze this old man. Bless y'all 👌

[@Wauquiez48Pilot]

Wonderful work, hard work, congratulations for an amazing result. I know it must have been soul destroying but now you get to put her back together, the rewards will be fab! …..and your dear old friend will look amazing 10/10 hooray👏👏👏👏💪👌❤️🎉

[@greenwave819]

Yall gonna have a whole new boat here pretty soon! nice work

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

I believe I'll think twice before I complain about pulled the hardware off the top deck of my little Catalina 22 for refitting, lol. A ton of work and you two are doing good. Just recognize when you need to step away for a day and spend time with each other. Those major refit projects can strain a relationship.

[@Stakman1]

Wow, its not just that there is a lot of work, but there are so may additional challenges I would not have considered such as working at height, or working with your head crammed into a cabinet trying to remove screws. That was a pretty clever trick with the double nut to back out the threads from the bottom. Thanks for sharing!

[@thatflightsimguy]

This is the price you pay for all those beautiful sunrises. Keep going guys! It won't be long and you'll be steaming north watching those beautiful sunrises/ sunsets once more! I can't wait ❤