After two successful jobs in the wet dock in early spring, it was time to leave the relative comfort, convenience and ‘climate controlled’ indoor environment, and tackle a couple of outdoor painting jobs - painting alfresco.

Distilling some of my thoughts and learnings about boat painting these last couple of years, I came up with my 5 Ps for increasing the likelihood of generating the desired result and quality finish.

Three months, three boats through the paint shop! After a winter that seemed to go on forever, painting season has most definitely gotten underway.

When it comes to cleaning literally hundreds of square feet of canal boat, a pressure washer (aka jet washer) can deliver impressive results while making light work of an otherwise arduous job – but where to begin?

If you want a shot at keeping your boat moisture free through the long winter months, your best bet is a desiccant humidifier. With an effective operating temperature range of ~1°C to ~40°C, and capable of extracting as much as 10 litres per day, they massively outperform comparably priced compressor dehumidifiers, with running costs on a par. And to top that, they also heat the air that passes through them as a bi-product of the desiccation process – so cold damp air in, warm dry air out – for as little as 18p per hour. Not a silver bullet, but an essential bit of winter kit!!  

Eventually closing the hatch, erasing the memories, and running for the hills becomes a less and less viable option. It’s time to embrace your engine bay!!

From tunnel tugs to battleships and superyachts!

So what is “samsara” exactly?

What’s possible in two weeks??

Lucky number thirteen…