Finally ready to splash!!

[kstephens]

A little background - I've been an avid lurker here for almost a year, while narrowing down the boat I wanted.  I ended up buying an awesome Legacy from a member here about 6 weeks ago (Thanks Chelle!).  I've owned quite a few boats, but never a sailboat - so this has been quite the learning process.  I took a sail course last year with my local sailing club, and fell in love with the smaller boats.  I am glad I ended up with the legacy.  I am not familiar with boat work or maintenance outside of bass boats.  I think I would have been extremely overwhelmed with a larger boat (glad I got cold feet about purchasing a larger boat back in the fall).  This small boat has already given me some much needed confidence in terms of working on the boat.  I have pretty much taken it apart and put it back together just to learn about it. I keep crossing things off the "to do" list, only to add several more items each time.  But now I am ready to put it in the water and go sailing.  I'm reserving a slip for a few days so I can re-carpet the trailer bunks in between sails.

Here is what I have done so far - with very little background or experience in this.
 - New trailer winch strap
 - Mast support for trailering on bow.
 - Swapped out to original size tires (so that it will fit in garage) - love the larger tires for towing, but only a few minutes away from lake.
 - Sanded /oiled all teak
 - cut new poly hatch  boards - but will likely make some new teak ones (much lighter)
 - re-wired electrical panel - this was more of a learning experience than a needed repair
 - Installed new chain plates (fathom metal works makes some beefy stainless - great purchase) - fairly simple process for this size boat
 - New topping lift
 - Figured out previous owners customized reefing set up
 - Oil change, lower unit oil change and carb serviced on Honda outboard - may be my first successful engine work.
 - Filled in and smoothed out a few dings - going to finish polishing and waxing this week, and put new registration stickers on - I've never used a polisher before, so looking forward to this.
 - replaced some missing hardware - sail stop, Bimini hooks/attach points.
 - new onboard charger
 - new pull rope on rudder craft rudder.

Just wanted to say thanks for this site, in helping give me the info needed to become a little more confident in doing the above things.  Now I'm ready to get out on the water to become fully aware of what all I don't know how to do - but looking forward to it! 
 

[passagesfromtheheart]

YAY!!!!! I'm SO stoked to see your post, kstephens!!! Wooohoooooo!!! Awesome on tackling and checking off all of those items on your list!!!! I can't wait to see the boat in the water with you sailing her! Btw, I feel awful as now I see that I totally forgot about the sail stop! I had placed it in my toolbox when I disassembled the boat a couple of years back, and I truly apologize I overlooked sending that off with you when you came to get the boat! I can send it to you so you have a back-up! Don't forget to post some pics for us!!! So excited for you!!!

[Bewildered]

Congrats and best of luck with your wonderful boat!