Good afternoon!
I'm about 6 weeks into owning. Already have turned out a lot of larger and some smaller (but crucial) projects:
- Had a custom stainless steel crossbar formed for my helm to hold my GPS on and be able to pivot it while driving (So I can sit at either port or starboard locker and watch my path. I plan to be doing some solo sailing for week long excursions around Long Island Sound, Rhode Island and Massachusetts - just not up and around Cape Cod yet!)
- Removed all wood from boat. (Nearly 100 pieces!) My one big savior on this was a DeWalt power drill with various size bits AND Dollar Store plastic baggies with Post-It Notes.
- Scrubbed every inch of fiberglass with bleach and water mix. Used a lighter sponge similar to a kitchen sponge with the scouring side on the reverse. You would be surprised at what 38 years of filth looks like
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- I had a professional varnish job (almost) completed by a friend in the auto-body industry. He has taken 8 total (part) days to help me with stripping some old varnish off, cleaning water damaged pieces, and sanding all of the pieces down with a 330 grit to be beautiful and smooth. We applied several layers of the varnish in lighter passes with quick sanding in between and a final sanding from him - he is the professional after all and I am just taking notes here.
All in all I think we have invested 60 hours into this because some pieces were badly water damaged. I looked past any imperfections so far and am keeping all the original pieces. I will look around to see if I can locate any replacement pieces. Also, for this I did try the Cetol. I liked the ease of the process... but it didn't look good and mine didn't cure, so it physical was wiping off to the touch. This is where I recruited a professional. I'm happy I did.
- I scrubbed the entire upper deck to remove the black and grey weather spots left from the boat being in a slip for 3 straight years.
- I have replaced the shower bilge pump - output hose cracked off the case. Unfortunately, this was the only fix other than re-threading a bracket on both sides of the case. I assumed this would only be a temporary fix and just jumped straight into a new pump. $160 before out marina discount at West Marine. I think I paid $100 and installed it myself. (Also Note: The previous wiring job was just electrical tape.
Yikes!)
- I upgraded from a 500 GPH bilge pump to a 1500 GPH. I sent my 500 over to a slip neighbor with a center console for his SUPER LOW transom. I sleep more sound at night not worrying about the turtle speeds of my old bilge pump.
- I did a full engine and bilge cleaning. This was the worst project so far. Lots of tears and gagging and more gagging.
Some remaining projects I am working on are:
- Re-doing the main cabin windows. I have leaks. I am trying to keep the old windows and just redo the gaskets or seal them differently. I have seen many different opinions on this.
- Installing new port-lights. Same reason. They are a 4 week wait for shipping since they are back ordered from BOMAR.
- New Mast boot... Same reason... Minor leaks.
- General engine maintenance: Ordered oil sampling its from Volvo-Penta, Learn how to do my own oil change, Change the fuel filter, Do a new belt, etc.
- Completely remodel the bathroom. I absolutely think the layout is inefficient and wasteful for space. I will be building a new cabinet space and using an existing face piece to create a teak counter top to place a vessel sink. I have a new JABSCO Compact electric toilet I will be installing and a new holding tank. All of the toilet parts were removed before I bought the boat.
- New cushions and linens throughout - this is a winter project.
- New gelcoat and bottom paint - after haul out.
- Remodel the galley... I don't have a plan for this yet, but my stove was replaced with a mini fridge (beneficial, but done so with sloppy craftsmanship)
