So far..

A bit more progress and obviously a lot of hard work..

Here is 'Ginge', the person behind all this graft and progress.

A thorough rub down..

Ginge and Tash of Norton Canes Boat Builders paint department have been very busy over the last few days.  It is a case of off with the old paint before they can start on Steadfast's transformation. 
Although Steadfast still looked good for a boat that is ten years old the original paint preparation had been a bit suspect.  The primer coat was excellent but the top coat parted company with it's base as soon as masking tape was used anywhere indicating that the primer had not been 'keyed' properly to get the top coat to adhere.

Masked

Norton Canes Boatbuilder, Sarah Edgson, sent me some more 'work in progress' shots of Steadfast yesterday.   With all the fittings removed it was time to mask up.

Stripping

Steadfast has gone into the paint dock at Glascote basin this week to be prepared for her new livery.    The first thing was to finalise what we required so that Chloe, (Ginge to her colleagues),  the paint-sprayer is clear  about what needs painting and what the colour scheme is going to be.  That done, it was time to strip everything off of the boat so it can rubbed down. The cratch board, well deck locker, the mushroom vents and the portholes have all been removed. The gas locker hatch and the rear slide are off as well.
Steadfast is going to be sprayed in two-pack paint but thorough preparation is key to getting a great finish.  We are also having a solar panel fitted which will make cruising even more leisurely next year.