Wind Horse is hauled out and we’ve been inspecting the bottom prior to hydro washing. This bottom paint was applied in Ventura, California, in March of 2008. Since then it has seen 18,000 nautical miles slip by.

This past season we have spent more time sitting at anchor than is the norm for us. As an example, from the Shetlands to Lymington, a period of seven weeks elapsed of which roughly five days has been spent under way. We consider this thin layer of slime and incipient crop of grass a good result.

Vertical surfaces subject to sunlight are more prone to growth.The keel, which is hidden, and the lower portions of the hull are almost clean.

The worst areas are aft, on the sunlit surfaces. Note the difference between the rudders and hull. There is less water flow on the hull in these corners than forward (a function of something called wake fraction), so the paint tends to self polish less. The rudders see accelerated water flow from the props.

The props were coated again with Prop Shield and except for a bit of slime, seem in reasonable shape.

An hour spent with the hydro washer and we are shiny and clean.

Whether we repaint or go another season is yet to be decided.

A final note. If we were about to start a passage the dry suit and Hooka would come out and we’d take the time to clean the hull.