We'll be filling them with MarineTex after that and sanding it down to a nice shine with 800 grit then 1500 grit wet sandpaper.
To begin with, we donned filter masks and goggles, then scraped the heavy stuff. No substitute for good old fashioned elbow grease. This actually brought it down to the gelcoat in a few places, indicating that there was never a proper barrier coat applied.
Next, we went to work with a liquid-paste stripper designed for bottom paint. After about 30 minutes, the majority of the remaining layers of paint came off with some more scraping and a good scrubbing.
Finally we get down to the sanding disk to get the last remnants of paint off, and exposing some blisters. Several of these were pretty big, but had simply been painted over at some point. Here, Dan Jr. (14 years old) goes at the sanding like a boy posessed. He liked the idea that he didn't have to work on his back like the last bottom painting job he helped with.
Pat has a good jump on the Starboard side as well, being very diligent the applying stripper and spending many hours with the scrubbing pad and rags. With less scraping, the gelcoat isn't taking the beating that's more evident on the Port side.
Its looking like another few hours and we'll be ready for the barrier coat.