Getting Ready

Before opening the first tin of paint, I gathered everything I needed for the evening.

The blacking paint I chose was International Intertuf (recommended to me by a fellow boater who has already helped me enormously throughout this journey). Alongside that I had my overalls, paint brushes, rollers, a small bucket and white spirit ready for cleaning up afterwards.

Standing there looking at everything laid out, I realised this was another one of those moments where I was doing something I’d never done before.

That seems to happen a lot with boat ownership!

The First Brush Stroke

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect.

Would it be difficult?

Would it be messy?

Would I make a complete mess of the hull?

Fortunately, it turned out to be easier than I imagined.

For the first coat I deliberately used a paintbrush rather than a roller. The idea was to work the paint into every weld, edge and small indentation across the steelwork, making sure nothing was missed.

It isn’t the quickest method, but it gives much better coverage on that important first coat.

Of course, watching somebody paint an entire boat probably isn’t the most exciting thing in the world, so throughout the video you’ll notice I jump forwards now and again rather than making you watch every single brush stroke!

Patience Is Part of the Process

One thing I’ve quickly learned is that blacking isn’t something you rush.

After speaking with more experienced boaters, the advice has been to allow at least 12 hours between coats.

Thankfully, because I’m still working full-time, that actually works quite well.

I’d be returning the following evening anyway, giving the first coat around twenty-two hours to cure before applying the next.

The second and third coats should also be much quicker because I’ll mainly be using a roller, only switching back to a brush where I’ve spotted areas needing a little extra attention.

A Helping Hand

Although I completed most of the work myself, one of my boating neighbours came along to give me a hand for a while.

We weren’t rushing.

There was plenty of chatting, a cup of tea, and a lot of learning along the way.

It’s something I’ve mentioned before, but the canal community really has been incredible.

Everyone seems willing to share advice, experience and lend a hand when needed.

As a first-time boat owner, that support means an awful lot.

A Huge Difference

By around 9:30 pm, the first coat was complete.

Looking around the hull, I was genuinely surprised by the transformation.

Even though this is only the first coat, the boat already looks cleaner, smarter and much better protected.

The fresh black finish immediately makes the boat look younger.

One thing I’m also considering is taking the black coating slightly higher than the original waterline.

If I have enough paint left over, I’d like to repaint the entire black section above the waterline with a single cosmetic coat.

It won’t just improve the appearance—it will provide additional protection too.

We’ll see how much paint remains once the essential work is complete.

Learning Every Day

One thing this journey keeps teaching me is that confidence only comes from actually doing the work.

You can read books.

Watch YouTube videos.

Ask questions.

But eventually you have to pick up the brush and begin.

Every project aboard Sarang teaches me something new.

Some lessons are technical.

Others are simply about patience.

Either way, I’m enjoying every step of the journey.

Tomorrow evening it’s back to the dry dock for coat number two.

See you then.

Liam & Sarang

Life afloat, one project at a time.