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[Grimalkin]

As my Kitchen refurbishment has gone much faster than plan I will soon have approval from SWMBO to commence a little work on Grimalkin.
As I have mentioned elsewhere she is a very pretty boat and deserves a strip and revarnish inside. However I get bored very easily and the ammount of varnished area to strip and prepare is rather significant; also there are a lot of 30 year old glued joints!
I would apreciate some advice on what is the best method to remove the varnish, Chemical stripping, Hot air gun ??  I doubt that a power sander will be of any use except on the transom and decks, and they are ok. It is the fiddly bits, knooks and crannies that will be a struggle.

[have]

Well there you go !
I guess I have to keep the name or the Pendle Witches will have me !:X
Small update - re -extended mast is good - less bumped heads.
Anthony, my keelboat sailing neighbour and I had her on the Avon this sunday, great fun again but oh dear did we make a hash of things.
We WILL do better next week!
Our roll-tacking was very poor at Anthony had no dry suit - and boy did that water look chilly so not enough effort by either of us, other than that by the time we finished we just about had her under control and my goodness does she point well !:)

Thanks Guys,
In that case I think I will go for a wire haliyard and no forestay.
Whilst I 'know' the dyneema is strong enough i think I am to (old)fashioned  to drop good old wire !
Oh yes Tony, lots of fun. Planing on the Avon last sunday !  Didnt bust anything or go in - but only just.
River is in such flood at the moment I am hoping for a howler on this sunday too. Aim is to pull up the board and plane over the weir !:
Mast extended last night by the way, to reduce dented skull, now back to Needlespar spec ( all but an inch), trolley shortened to fit my combi and a few bits repositioned to suit my 'style' ( or lack thereof). Really very happy with her . ( just the colur and name - but I am firmly in my place regarding that one !)
 

Tony E, previous maestro of 2760 deleted the forestay from its spec and replaced the wire jib haliyard with some very snazzy string ! Nice and light but
This weekend I did notice some very odd noises from the front end ( rig not crew) as we messed about on a very turbulent River Avon in about a 5 or 6.
What is the opinion of the accumulated wisdom on the subjects of a) not having a forestay and b) dynema vs stainless for the jib haliyard.
At the moment the missus is on sailing strike so my mate next door ( Ocean yacht sailor!) is first mate so we are about 24st between us, hence the rig gets some stick when the wind blows.
 
Thanks in advance for advice

Go for a Mini Van !!
Once towed a Fireball with mine whilst having another and both masts on the roof. Went by ferry to France on the trip to Hyers.
Drove for about 2 days, got out the car at the club, tripped and broke my leg.
Had negligible money, no insurance etc etc so had to be strapped up as best as possible and drive back eating asprin . Got to Dover and passed out so some ferry bloke had to unload the car/ boat for me. They didnt bill me which was lucky. As said " Students eh !"

Well !
SWMBO had a real go at me last night !!
The name stays or she reckons I will be hexed!
The colour stays !
No work on the inside till the kitchen is refurbished !
Oh, and adverse comments regarding my lowly status as a 'Cabin Boy' - thinks I need to try harder:o
 

John / Tim,
Thanks for filling me in on the missing detail.
The name issue is amusing - you can see I never benefitted from a classical education !
I might think about the name - but sorry - the colour has to go. It has made me think though - could be that a nice sharp grey would go well ??
Sails are 'OK' will last us for a bit whilst we get used to her - then a new boom and mast as well as a new suit!
She seems ideal for the river, really quite nimble. Now its just Lesley and I that have to get up to speed !

Oh, and that name has got to go .....
Something Cat related I think ??
I was thinking of 'Ginger Pussy' but my wife said NO, cant think why ??

Yes indeed !
Now residing in Evesham and about to hit the water!
A few little fettles yesterday ( gooseneck position, haliyard cleating, elastics  etc, a few more this evening ( adjusting trolley to fit my combi) and we will be on the river this sunday.
Plans for the winter include a light rub down of the outside and repaint in a bright Cheshire cat Orange complete with graphics but a serious strip of the varnish. She seems to be in really good nick and I would like to have her as attractive inside as out. She is made of rally good timber and it should be shown off. New mast probably and Santa might even come up with some new sails ??