That was our mantra. We kept saying it over and over, as we woke up early every day and headed out to the boat at 6:00 a.m. to coat the wood, or came back late and shut her down at sunset in those chilly winter days. “Five coats before Christmas.” We started coating the wood the week before Christmas, and we were planning to leave on the 22nd for New Orleans to spend the holiday in that glorious culinary heaven. “Five coats before Christmas.” We wanted to at least get five on before leaving so the wood would have a good varnish base to withstand any rain that may fall in our absence. I can tell you it was quite a chore. When people say their “blood, sweat and tears went into it,” I can safely say our snot went into ours. I mean, when it’s lows in the mid-teens with highs in the upper 30’s and your hands are clad in latex gloves and coated with sticky varnish, wiping the dribble isn’t really an option. Nope, it goes right in. Just smooth it out with another stroke. “Five coats before Christmas.”
And, I’m proud to say we did it. All it took was a little gumption, lots of long johns and tissues, and some ridiculously cheesy holiday songs to move us along:
On the first coat of varnish, my Captain said to me: “Make sure you get down and paint underneeeath.”
On the second coat of varnish, my Captain said to me: “Nice, lo-ong strokes,
and make sure you get down and paint underneeeath!”
On the third coat of varnish, my Captain said to me: “Easy around the rails,
nice, lo-ong strokes, and make sure you get down and paint underneeeath!”
On the fourth coat of varnish, my Captain said to me: “Don’t forget the hatch,
easy around the rails, nice, lo-ong strokes, and make sure you get down and paint underneeeath!”
On the fifth coat of varnish, my Captain said to me: “FIVE COATS TO GO!”
“So, don’t forget the hatch, easy around the rails, nice, lo-ong strokes, and make sure you get down and paint underneeeath!”
See? How easy it can be? When you throw your ego out the window and sing embarrassing songs along the way? “Five coats before Christmas!” You’re darn right. Go team. Now – who’s ready for some N’awlins?