In Spring 2006 I decided it was time to slip the boat out for pressure washing and re-blacking. This needs to be done every three years or so to keep the hull in good condition. The Antidote finally reached the top of the waiting list in September!

Here the trolley is being made ready on 6 Sept 2006 to slip The Antidote out. A steel cable, attached to the top of the trolley, feeds round a pulley at the top of the slipway and back down to a tractor. You can see the cable behind young Nick.






The tractor which pulls the trolley up the rails. It's a simple but effective system used at Weltonfield for slipping boats in and out.

The four magnesium anodes seem to be doing their job. There is some corrosion of the magnesium (which is what you want) but there is plenty of magnesium left so they don't need replacing yet.











The propeller was in pretty good shape too. No damage and no significant wear.

'Young Nick' (as distinct from Nick the boss) pressure washing the hull.

After pressure washing, Nick confirmed that the hull looked good. However, the red contra-colour at the stern had suffered due to frequent water contact, so it needed repainting.

Two views of The Antidote on the slipway after pressure washing

The Rylard Coflex Vinyl Tar used below the waterline, and a view showing the starboard side almost done with the first of two coats.

'The lads' returning from a tea break. The Antidote is on the left of picture.

The completed bows.

Of course, the magnesium anodes must not be overpainted, or they will lose their effectiveness.

The completed stern, with the red contracolour having been repainted by Phil. As good as new.

The rudder and skeg have been re-blacked too.

Ready for the relaunch. Mark is there to start the engine when The Antidote gets near the water. The stern dips very low during the relaunch and if the engine is not running there is a real risk of canal water getting into the engine through the exhaust system.

Entering the water as the tractor reverses up the slope and the trolley rolls down the rails.

Roger gives that "All right then guv?" look after tying up The Antidote back on the mooring.

I had emptied the fresh water tank in the bows in order to repaint it with potable bitumen. Without 1½ tonnes of water up front to trim the boat, the stern sits very low.

Having repainted the fresh water tank and waited 24 hours for it to dry, it was a warm and sunny September day when I refilled the tank.

The red paint is out of the water now that the stern has lifted, and the water level has settled in the middle of the rubbing strake, which is protected with 'Coflex' Vinyl Tar.