When I hauled Triumph out of the ocean in Rhode Island last week, I did my usual inspection for corrosion and wear. That’s when I noticed the aluminum plates on the rudder showing a bit of pitting. Nothing catastrophic—just something I had already seen before launching this spring—but it’s not the kind of problem I want to let worsen.

To get ahead of it, I’m experimenting with a tough enamel paint typically used on appliances. It creates a very hard, durable coat that I expect will hold up well in the marine environment. Time will tell, but I’ll report back once she’s back in the water for another season!