Blue tape blues

Okay I know that I have heard this from more than one source; that the special blue tape can be left on. For the record, that is bogus. At least if you get the Home Depot blue tape. Because if you leave that blue tape on for 4 or 5 weeks it bonds into a kinda super sticky super mess. Then, over the next few weeks it will collect more grime and dirt. The final result is no less than 8 hours of extended scrubbing with GooGone and a plastic scraper. I have even mixed in a little acetone for good measure and am stil scrubbing. The good news is it is nearly all gone and just in time because Thursday is looking like launch day! 

At this point the Starboard side is de-blue goo'ed, restored with buffing compound and waxes. She looks pretty good considering I do not have one of those pro-grade buffers. The port side is about 1/2 de goo'ed and then to restore and wax. Otherwise there are a couple of little quick repairs and we are off to the Basin for a launch. 

I added a special dedication to the project. FBG is the last boat that, one of my sailing heros, Keith "Darbo" Darby worked on. Aside from his adventures, he was also the local authority on race boat bottoms. I never got to sail with "Darbo" but always wanted to. He was such a character, those who did sail with him have an awesome collection of stories and I enjoy them all. 

Charles "Dirty Dave" Rideout and I went to school together. He was also an adventurer too following the Grateful Dead for a few years after high school. He started racing with us in '06,  and stayed in '07 and '08. He also logged several hours under FBG sanding after we hauled out. He was also great fun to have around with many stories to his own right. 

Working long hours on the boat, I would often think of "Darbo" & "Dirty Dave". Sometimes I felt like they where with me although it was most likely the fumes from the paint. At any rate, I felt compelled to make a dedication to them as they are crew members in perpetuity. 

          Yes what a long strange trip it's been but getting FBG out of the yard is a major goal. And while there is still much to do, getting her out of the yard will mark a major mile stone towards that accomplishment. There are those who have told me that boat would never leave the yard. And they might be right; but this Thursday it is my aim to prove them wrong. I believe that FBG will wake up Friday morning in slip D5 at the Hampton Yacht Club. Your Good Vibrations are appreciated. FBG in 2012!