Salt & Tarvideo
Salt & Tar: Ep.353- Launch Day!
August 6, 2026 · 25 min
What this video covers
After a six-month refit, the owners of the wooden boat Red Aviva launch their vessel back into the water.0:49 To manage the expected water ingress from dried-out hull seams, the crew applies "slick seam" wax to every plank gap before the haul-out team moves the boat using a 20-metric-ton hydraulic trailer.4:37 Upon entering the water, the boat’s two smaller bilge pumps handle the initial intake, while the two larger pumps remain on standby.12:36 The crew monitors the water level closely for the first few hours, noting that the planks begin to swell and seal the gaps, causing the pump cycle frequency to decrease significantly.21:14 To ensure the aging battery bank maintains enough power to run the pumps overnight, the owner connects a 10-amp battery charger to shore power.22:57 The owner spends the first night on board in the pilot house to monitor the bilge levels and electrical systems.23:26 Careful preparation of hull seams and active monitoring of bilge pump performance allow a wooden boat to safely transition from a long-term dry refit back into the water.
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