Acorn To Arabellavideo
Pitching, Scraping and Oiling the Deck | Preparing Arabella for Sea Again
June 5, 2026 · 30 min · 33K views · Corner Brook, Canada
What this video covers
Steve maintains the pine deck of the 38-ft schooner *Arabella* in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, by repairing pitch seams and scraping wood surfaces.▶ 0:00 To address leaking seams caused by heat-induced bubbling during southern passages, he cleans debris from gaps using a vacuum and reefing hook before melting and pouring fresh pitch.▶ 3:33 He uses a hot plate and two small cast-iron pots to manage the pitch, applying it in thin layers and scraping the excess once cooled.▶ 7:56 For deck maintenance, he employs a scalloped-blade scraper for initial passes and a handmade scraper for finishing, frequently sharpening the blades with a file to maintain efficiency.▶ 12:27 Additionally, Steve reinforces the chafe protection on the boat's anchor pennant.▶ 15:09 He installs a section of fire hose over the nylon line at the shackle wear point, securing it with heavy-duty whipping and stitching using a sewing palm.▶ 16:03 He notes that the anchor pennant attaches to a master point on the stem to prevent fouling the bobstay.▶ 15:12 These tasks serve as interim projects while awaiting warmer weather for major painting and rigging work.▶ 0:20
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