1953 Alcort Sunfish ZIP 17 Jun 20 Patterns, Air Leak Test and Hull Paint

17 Jun 20:

Laid some poly on the deck and marked fastener hole patterns.

Did an air leak test next, pumped in low pressure low volume air from a shop vac and sprayed seams with Dawn/water mix, daggerboard trunk and fasteners to find leaks. Quite a bit of leaking along the starboard deck edge seam, that's where the coaming rot damage was as well.

Repaired the leak areas by dredging out a small groove with the DeWALT oscillating multitool, maybe 1/16th of an inch, and injecting TotalBoat THIXO Wood into the seam. Also applied THIXO to a few spots in the daggerboard trunk.

Flipped ZIP so we could tape her off for paint. Used 3M #2080 for delicate surfaces, it leaves a nice crips line.

We rolled and tipped TotalBoat WetEdge Fire Red with a Mighty Mini Roller kit, all from jamestown Distributors, who donated the paint for ZIP's restoration. Thanks JD! Tipped with a 2 inch oil based paint brush with soft bristles.



We are thrilled with the coverage and color of the Fire Red!

Log of ZIP

1953 Alcort Sunfish ZIP 15 Jun 20 Cockpit Paint

15 Jun 20:

Tried this tape to mask the cockpit edge. Worked great. Recommended by Geoff Kerr at Two Daughters Boatworks.

We left one area underneath ZIP's cockpit in original finish, a tribute to the original builders at Alcort. We got the idea from aircraft restorations at theNational Naval Aviation Museum. TotalBoat WetEdge Fire Red for the cockpit. 3m #2080 for delicate surfaces masked off the cockpit trim. Paint brushed with a Redtree Fooler chip brush, it has double the bristles of a basic chip brush and works well with this paint. Supplies acquired from Jamestown Distributors.

Jamestown Distributors provided the paint for ZIP's restoration. We love the extra bit of blue, it's our favorite Fire Red of different brands we have tried. #totalboat

Floorboards got a fresh coat of paint.

Video of tape and cockpit paint: https://youtu.be/cuVpgawwuC4

The little bumps along the paint edge are from variations in the edge of the plywood and the gap between the deck and cockpit trim pieces. Very happy with the tape



First coat of West Systems 105/207 on the patch.

Got a little ahead of ourselves and put one of the rub rails back on. We still need to do an air leak test and will need access to the deck/side seam for that. We don't expect to find leaks along the deck seam but will check none the less. Most likely we have a small area to seal up in the daggerboard trunk.

Log of ZIP.

Alcort Super Sailfish ZSA ZSA 25 Dec 18 Hull Graphics and Varnish

25 Dec 18:

The stockings were raided, dinner finished and still a few hours left before sunset, so we rolled ZSA ZSA out to Skipper's boat hoist and flipped her.

Drew the arcs for the graphics on each corner of the hull. Extremely technical, only a few folks are qualified to do this step.



Applied a coat of TotalBoat WetEdge Fire Red with a 2 inch angled sash brush from Lowes. Skipper likes the short handle of the sash, it is lighter and easier to maneuver in tight spots. Taped along the seam with blue tape and free handed the arc.

I was thinking that the HEUER GARAGE sign should really be JACK'S BOATYARD, but he was not responsible for the acquisition of ZSA ZSA, that responsibility rests on Clark and Skipper. Jack was only responsible for ONKAHYE, CYANE, WAVE, MADISON, PHOENIX, SCOUT and LEWIS. SUGAR 2 to some extent.

First coat of TotalBoat Halcyon Amber Gloss on the blades and mast collar.

Merry Christmas!


Log of ZSA ZSA.

Alcort Super Sailfish ZSA ZSA 24 Dec 18 Hull Paint and Stain

24 Dec 18

Brushed 2nd coat of TotalBoat WetEdge Fire Red and first coat of TotalBoat WetEdge BluGlo White. Minwax Mahogany Red on the handrails.

Log of ZSA ZSA.

Alcort Super Sailfish ZSA ZSA 23 Dec 18 First Coat WetEdge Fire Red

23 Dec 18:

Lightly hand sanded the primer with 220 grit. Taped the lines for the center stripe, middle first, then the borders, then pulled the middle piece up.



Drew the arc from the center stripe out to the deck edge. Traced it onto wax paper and flipped paper over to check mirror image on starboard side.



Brushed on some TotalBoat WetEdge Fire Red.

Log of ZSA ZSA.