Because I really don’t know how I’m going to
do a lot of these ambitious endeavors, I usually begin figuring it out with a lot of internet research. Just
like a late night Home Shopping Network junkie, I am easily influenced by the recommendations I find on the Hans Christian Owners Association website. This is how I became convinced we needed a Fein Multimaster tool. I then had to persuade Don that, no matter the high price, this tool (but wait – there’s
more) equipped with its patented caulk cutting blade was indispensible. Thus armed with the necessary tools,
it was time to find a means for getting the know-how on using them.
In
preparation for this project, I’d previously bribed our local boat carpenter Dan, an ex-deck layer. Dan
had done some of the more complex wood repairs on our gauge panel, and while climbing onto our boat one day, lost his cell
phone overboard. I eagerly donated an extra phone we’d kept as a spare. At that
time, the idea of repairing our decks was already brewing in my mind, and I jumped at the chance to put Dan in a position
of obligation. When I beseeched him to teach me how to caulk a joint, I got an in-depth lesson on deck-restoration
from start to finish, including hands on practice using some of his scrap material. It was a good trade.
Step one in the project was digging out
the old caulk, and thus the Multimaster and I began a rather torrid love affair. Don was able to condone
the shift in my affections by choosing to believe I was referring to him every time I mentioned ‘Fine Master’.
Step two was mowing down the acres of undulating teak to a level
field and I embarked on my 2 month career as ‘The Boat Buffing Babe’. Grief for the weeks of
life lost to this task was further compounded by the nerve endings damaged using the orbital sander.
Step three was carving out the grooves to a proper size and meant
Fein-y was back on the scene. He was less aggressive, friendlier to my pulsating palms than the orbital
sander. I love this power tool all the more!
Step
four was squirting out 36 tubes worth of gooey, black caulk; followed by 36 hours of removing gooey, black smears from the
multitude of places I didn’t intend covering.
I’m
not sure why, but during this project I became the center of attention on the dock. Skippers of plastic
sloops were always standing around, watching the dust fly and asking questions about the process. I couldn’t
understand the curious inquiries from men who had no natural materials onboard with which to use the information I was sharing.
Don said it was because what I was doing was interesting. I think it was because I spent most of
my time in a bikini bent over power tools – the epitome of a Rigid Tool calendar model. I have no
inflated self-image mind you. I was aware that I was grubby with sweat, sawdust and black smears.
However I did become a film star when a dock mate of ours requested that I record the entire process to post on his
website www.idofloat.com.
