Non-radical renewal of a masterpiece

Dear friends,

last spring, I took our Swan 48 out of the water in southern Portugal -- after the first winter she spent afloat since we own the boat. I expected not much more than a renewal of the antifouling and the annual dismantling and greasing of the Max-Prop. However, the high-pressure cleaner took the epoxy skin the former owner had put on right off the hull in large patches. Obviously, the epoxy coat did not stick to the polyester hull – unfortunately, without any means of telling just how long the process had been going on, thereby putting the spectre of osmosis in the middle of the room.

After the initial shock, we decided to patch her up, put in a quick sail to Germany, and take the boat right out of the water again with Peter Wrede in Wedel near Hamburg. There, in a heated and dry shed, we had a complete workover of the hull (though not so radical as done with Lucky Bird!) – even though we were fortunate enough to find no signs of osmosis.
The hull was sanded and had one layer of glass mat added with a vinyl ester resin that is resistant to hydrolysis. Then, six layers of vinyl ester gelcoat were added, the hull faired and smoothed, and another six layers of epoxy shield were sprayed on before antifouling. We also overhauled the rudder and renewed the keel joint. And we had the hull spray painted as well, throwing in some minor aesthetic details like painting the cove stripe white and slightly narrowing the upper boot top.

As the boat looks almost new, we decided to add an outward sign of the new beginning as well – we changed both her name and homeport. I think we found a name that is more than fitting for a S&S Swan 48, so hull 039 is now named Vellamo and registered in Bremen.

A good season to everybody,
Martin
(48/039 Vellamo)

Patching up the hull

The bilge plug from outside, indicating the added layers

Ready to launch after a comprehensive overhaul

Dear Martin,

wow, what a great job (as all you do on your S&S Swan)!

Welcome Vellamo (database now updated)!

matteo (47/069 Vanessa)

A comment from Finland

Vellamo (also known as Wellamo) is the goddess of water, lakes and seas in Finnish mythology. She is said to be tall and beautiful, and is much respected by fishermen, who pray to her for good fishing luck. Vellamo can also control the winds to help sailors, and she controls the storms and waves. Vellamo has magical cows that live on underwater fields. Sometimes, during the morning mist, she brings her cows above the surface to eat water hay. Vellamo wears a blue dress that is made from sea foam.

Lars

As I said, perfectly fitting a Swan 48!

BRAVO MARTIN!

Beautiful boat, with a beautiful name.

As some would say: "What Else" could you expect... from an S&S Swan!

Wishing you all the best winds for 2019.

Philippe 41/022