Ep56 - Restoring Our Sailboat’s Aluminum | Nyalic Finish & a Scary Accident in the Boatyard

Join us as we finish one of the biggest jobs aboard — refinishing all the aluminum on our sailboat, including the mast, boom, crossbeam, spreaders, and davits. We’re using a professional metal conditioning power tool and a unique product called Nyalic — a clear coating not often seen in the yachting world. Most aluminum masts are painted or anodized, but Nyalic offers a long-lasting, UV-resistant finish that’s easier to apply and far less expensive than paint.
Things didn’t go as planned: on the day we were set to finish the mast, Shawn had a serious pressure washer accident, sending us to the hospital for emergency surgery to prevent infection and compartment syndrome. The next day, Geri returned to the boat to finish the job alone — a tough day’s work ending just as the sun went down.
If you’re considering how to protect or restore your aluminum spars, this video covers everything from metal prep and conditioning to real-world lessons about safety, teamwork, and life aboard.