Calcutt Marina, Grand Union – Thursday 21 June 2012
The boat was not lifted out on Tuesday, so took the opportunity to review route plans (do I wimp out and go round or be brave and go through Birmingham?)  Watched the work being done on “Bwthyn Dwr” another narrowboat which is also being blacked but with Bitumastic.  Wednesday it was my turn, I let the marina staff get the boat onto the trolley – while it is still moving forward the tractor starts reversing and uses the speed & weight of the boat to push her up the ramp.  Loads of weed growing, but out of the water it doesn’t look as bad.  This was all blasted off with a high pressure hose and the hull allowed to dry.  The propeller was removed and replaced with the new one.  The one that came off was “18x12 RH” (that translates as 18” diameter, 12” pitch [so one revolution will move the propeller 12” through the water] and Right Hand screw)!  They did not have a straight replacement so the new one is “18x13 RH” this should give more push or stopping power.  I will have to see.  Once the hull was dry it was painted with a couple of coats of “Comastic”.  After all the work was done I re-painted the gunnels so Ice Breaker looks good.  The weather has been super – sunshine all week.