1981 was the last year that Spark was legally allowed to sail, according to the Pa DCNR (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) sticker on the side of her hull that was needed to sail on any of Pennsylvania's numerous lakes. It seemed at that time, she was put back on her trailer and put away quite wet to judge by the dried out slime that was still tenuously stuck to her bottom. In those 37 years her paint has suffered. Not only from the occasional scratch, but from blistering and pealing. I am willing to bet the green was original to spark when she was built in the early 60s. Finally getting her home I was faced with this mess: Of course soon after I sanded off the worst of the loose stuff, it rained for two days. Thanks to George Kirby ( https://kirbypaint.com/ ) I was able to get some nice oil based paint that was similar in hue for a quick and dirty repaint of Spark's bottom and a touch up on her sides. I will be the first to admit that it is not pretty, but right now it is all about protecting the wood. I can make it pretty later. In car terms -Spark is no a "ten footer" as in she looks ok from ten feet away. Anybody standing on shore will see a pretty little sailboat, that is all that matters right now. Proper paint and varnish can some this spring
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