I want to Paint It Black

Photo by Sophie Stanley

Kilsby was dry docked in March 2024 to have the hull blacked (coated in bitumen - a standard part of boat maintenance, recommended every 2-3 years) 

A team of volunteers donned their finest overalls and wielded rollers and paintbrushes to get the job done.

Massive thanks go to Steph, Robin, Hugo, Helen, Tom, Matt, Steve, Mark, Lisa, John, Setareh, Jack, AK and Sean, for the hours spent in the dock painting away into all those ancient nooks and crannys.

Photo by Steph Pirrie

Thanks also to Matt and the team at Tooley’s Boatyard who always make us feel welcome. Tooley's Boatyard is one of the oldest working dry docks on our inland waterways (operating since 1778), so a very special place to be, even if you have visited many a boatyard!

Photo by Sophie Stanley

“It was a real joy to have the opportunity to get up close to this rare and beautiful 100 year boat and to enjoy the detail of her construction and lovely underwater lines. To be able to do work on her was just a bonus. Tooley’s Boatyard provided the conditions more normal in a museum – well lit, heated and clean”

John - Kilsby Volunteer

"A lovely day, being at Tooley’s is really nice, and I learnt a lot which will be useful when I reblack my boat."

"It was great meeting the other volunteers and being at Tooley's again.  It was good to be part of something boat related again and to be part of something, and have that feeling of belonging.  As the weather has been so bad it has been difficult working as a self employed gardener - I have had many cancelled days stuck at home because of the rain. "

Kilsby volunteers