With no suitable masking tape I decided to work on the engine compartment and give it the annual major clean. All the items stored on the baseplate were removed, along with the mats. Then I removed the bilge pump, but not before taking a photo of the wiring connections.
It was about this time that I realised either the engine compartment had got deeper or my legs shorter! Moreover the compartment appeared to be narrower making it quite a wriggle and squeeze to get in!
I was pleasantly surprised to discover there was far less surface rust this time. Most of it was dirty.
Wiped out with a cloth
The first area to be prepared,cleaned and repainted was the area under the domestic battery bank and around the prop shaft. I got into it with a wire brush and Fertan followed by spray primer and top coat. It’s just too far for me to reach with a paintbrush.
The bilge pump was removed and the spiders chased out of it. The Vetus dripless stern tube means Waiouru has a dry bilge. The only water we get in the engine compartment is from condensation. This gets absorbed using a rolled up newspaper which is stood vertically. So the bilge pump is still new (well unused!)
With the pump out I was able to clean the bilge and give it a fresh coat of paint.
There was just enough paint left in the tin to get a coat on the starboard baseplate. The portside will have to wait until I walk into B&Q Northampton for the masking tape.
I’ll re-install the bilge pump tomorrow whilst Jan waits for Mr Tesco.
Oh, and here is a photo of the repainted bow thruster locker lid.
Not perfect, but I think I might be getting better at this painting business! Have I mentioned I hate painting. 
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