Hi Tom, Yeah, "messing about in boats" is a worthy thing to do!  I hope you get to sail with your grandson, as we know time goes by so fast... Enjoy "messing about" and will be reading the blog. Tom Budington On Friday, August 1, 2014 3:01 PM, Thomas Buzzi <thomaspbuzzi@gmail.com> wrote: Hello Tom, on the Hudson. I used to live and sail along the coast of Connecticut. Now I sail my M-17, or will soon, off Rockport, Tx. Today I am repairing some gelcoat and will wash and coat the hull with some substance called "NuGlass 2". This week I removed the aluminum rails from the hull to inspect the hull/deck joint. All looks fine and after treating the hull and painting the deck I will reinstall the soon to be repainted aluminum rails. Amazing the amount of dirt that collected beneath those during the last 38 years. Very satisfying to get it all cleaned out and their removal will greatly aid in my getting a good paint job done on the deck. I find puttering around on the boat almost as much fun as sailing in it. Retirement has given me the time to do so. Unfortunately my grandson lives about 1500 miles away. I would love to introduce him to sailing. Welcome aboard, Tom Buzzi, M17, #258, 1977