This was our weekend for sanding the hulls, which is the hardest and grungiest part of the task of painting the hulls. Proper surface preparation is critical--sanding will rough up the surface so that the new (and very, very expensive!) paint will adhere best.

Dave had purchased a new Porter-Cable sander that could collect the sanding dust into our shop vac (which was required by the marina--you can't just let the dust fly into the air) . 80-grit paper did the job. It's slow and tedious work, often requiring you to lie on your back under the hulls as you work.