Maxem gets painted!

I found Maxem at Whilton Marina which is near Daventry at the bottom of the Long Buckby Locks on the Grand Union canal main line.

She had been on the market for a couple of years and was unpainted, had no engine and needed lots of interior work. I will write more about all in due course.

The previous owner had painted Maxem with an oxide paint which at least was stopping Maxim getting too much rust – although didn’t look too good!

I had Maxem lifted out of the water to be surveyed (got a good result) and the Marina blacked her bottom once my offer was accepted.

I will write more about the engine purchase and fitting decision and the trip to Skipton. However, in this post, I will focus on the paint job which I had done in Snaygill Boat Yard which is in Skipton.

I have always loved the look of the Fellows Morton and Clayton Canal Boats who were in existence from 1889 to 1947 and were for much of the early 20th century, the largest and best-known canal transportation company in England. Their original colouring was black with a white edge. During my previous time with a canal boat I did have the privilege to spend a little time with their steamboat called President.

I decided to have maxem painted in a similar style and colour scheme.

Although I had originally planned to do the painting myself, I decided to have a professional painter whose work I had become to admire and have it done inside the dry dock at Snaygill Boat Yard in Skipton.

I spent lots of time with the painter deciding on the colours and paint scheme. Deciding on the name painting was also important so that Maxem looked quite traditional.

I was quite delighted how good Maxem looked when I took her out of the dry dock!