Spring Fever

[TroyVB]

Hey all,

It seems there are a few of us who are longing for sailing already.  Are any of you planning to burn up some of that energy with projects for your boats.  If so what have you got planned?

I am planning to install a depth finder, new halyards, a new main sail (I ripped the old one while reefing last year) :cry:

I hope to move my compass, GPS and clinometer to a split hatchboard.

I was wondering about installing the transducer, I have a Hummingbird fishfinder with a transom mount but I have heard that these transducers will shoot through fiberglass.  When I replaced a bulkhead this fall I found a spot up under the forespeak just in front of the keel.  Is there any way that I can attach this transducer without epoxying it directly to the hull?  Let me know if you have any ideas and about your projects, I love to hear about the resourcefulness of sailors

[mgoller]

Hi Troy,
My boats are covered in snow so any refitting will be confined to indoor work like refinishing teak and tillers.
I think you can attach the transducer with a gob of silicone rubber.  Then if you want you can scrape it out later.  Make sure it is pointing straight down and make sure there are no trapped air bubbles in the gob of silicone.  Let the silicone flow out and work the transducer in slow.  Use tape to hold while it dries.

[TroyVB]

Hi Marcus,

Thanks for the info on the transducer I was not aware that it will shoot through the silicone.  This will certainly make the mounting much easier.

My boat is covered with snow as well and it looks like the projects will have to wait for somewhat of a warmup.

[K3v1n]

Well I have a long list.  

I finished cleaning off the old bottom paint late last summer so now I just have to patch a few areas and the put on the barrier coat. Then I'll get on the new coat of bottom paint. Meanwhile I have to order all new lines.  I've scraped out all the loose concrete from inside and have to cap it off with new, and then seal it with epoxy paint or fiberglass. I have to complete the  refinishing of the tiller, repair the motor mount and buy an outboard.  Basically my first priority is the stuff I need done to sail. I'd still like to paint the interior and do a bit of wood working in there. Then there is the electrical work, running lights, depth sounder and so on, but that will come with time.   :shock:  

And I still have to get the family to agree on a name!

Happy New Year!  

[TroyVB]

Hi k3v1n,

I had seen some of your pictures on the site while you were removing the bottom paint.  I was wondering what you used to take it off.  I have got most of the bottom paint off of Sanctuary but there seems to be some staining of the gelcoat.  The hull still seems to have some shine so it does not appear to have been given any "tooth" before painting.  I thought your hull seemed exceptionally clean.  If you've got a secret do tell.

Good luck getting her ready for the water.

[sawyer]

Troy,
Are you working in a permanently heated area, or do you have to heat it before you start working? I would like to be doing things right now, but I have an old toyota land cruiser that won't start, in the garage I heat with a wood stove, (no painting or glues).  When I get that out I just want to do general cleanup and get things in order for spring.  I was on Croton at first ice out this spring and want to do that again.  It was cool and it was cool, if that makes any sense.  I have my eyes on a mainsail kit from Sailrite again, that is definately winter and inside work, right on the dining room table....    If you would like to get together for a coffee sometime, I would like to see your new boat  ...  Just let me know, I do have a fairly flexible schedule.

                                     Doug, CP-16    "yet un-named" and still thinking about one.....................

[TroyVB]

Doug,

Just saw that you had posted here.  I do not have a heated area other than my basement so the projects that I am working on now are things I can take indoors.  I got a new mainsail from the folks at Masthead.  I just could not beat the price and the sail seems to be good.

Last year I did get some material from sailrite and added a sunbrella roller furling cover to the Genoa on the Catalina 27 we used to own.  The folks at Sailrite were great.  Have you sewn a sail before?  I would like to try a Genoa but it may wait until later in the season after I get a chance to get to know the boat a little better.  She's under cover right know but I may bring her home in a month or so.  That way she will be close by for getting measurements.

[K3v1n]

Well I'm no expert and since my boat is thirty years old I figured what do I have to lose. So what I'm about to tell you I might not do on a newer boat, there...that's my disclaimer.  :wink:

My brother had a Skipper 20 and this is what he did and I followed suit.
Basicly used a paint scraper to knock off the thick stuff then used an orbital sander on areas that wouldn't chip off, but not too much sanding. When it seemed to thin out I then went to wet sanding by hand, yep by hand and let me tell you I had the soar back and arms along with the occasional head bump on the trailer to go with it. Now I used 150 grit I believe mainly because that's what I had on hand and it was just the disc's from the orbital sander, you might want to use a higher grit. I just crawled under with the hose and sprayed, sand for a bit then spray it off and so on. Now the hull is clean with a dull finish, I figure it should take the barrier coat fairly well. Some of the pictures were taken when the hull was wet so that's why it might look shiny.

Cleaning the hull is the dirtest job I had to do, the rest should be easy and more fun!  

[sawyer]

I have sewn a main for mine, the one I got the the boat was kinda ratty, duct taped along some tears, but a great pattern.  The jib and genoa are ok, tho I seldom use the genoa, and I don't know what percent the size is.
I made a new main from a used sail I had, I don't recall the boat, an older 16' flat racing type, I had gotten the main and jib at a garage sale for a song and the main was quite a bit larger than the CP-16 main.  I fudged the size a bit, not making it any taller, but just longer and fuller. Maybe thats why it sometimes can be such and handful alone. I ordered the big blue sewing machine from sailrite and all the parts to rebuild that sail, you are right, they are great.  I have the grommet tools if you need to use them.  I had called around to different lofts, no one local wanted to deal with a used sail (I was still new to this), even the Amish guy on Croswell wasn't interested,  but he did say I could get my grommets from him and use his tools to finish it up.  I decided that instead of buying a completed sail, I would spend a couple of hundred more and get the machine, I will probably use it for other things also.  If you want to try that Genoa, let me know, that way you can decide for yourself if that is what you want.  It is melting again today, I'm getting spring fever already and it is just the New Year.... Maybe in 90-100 days, we can be on the water here...........                                            Doug

[Ralph Erickson]

I've been feeling the itch & spring fever as well, and I'm anxious to start messing around in the boat as well.  Was just able to secure winter storage for the boat & summer storage for the trailer (only $25.00/month!!!), so was able to take the boat out of the garage this past weekend, cover her & store her at the storage yard.  But before I trailered her over, I removed the sidestays & forestay for spring replacement.  Also need to fashion a new topping lift, and fill in some nicks in the gelcoat before putting her in the marina in the spring.  I think my Aquaguard bottom paint will last a secord year (great stuff, that!!!!), so all in all, I won't have much to do to get her ready, when you really think about it. In the meantime, I'm quelling my sailing itch by reading some good sailing books ("Gently with the Tides" & "Someday Isle" from the Liveaboard Magazine publishers) and following on-line logs of people who are circumnavigating.  Spring won't be here soon enough, though!

Ralph

[Gil Weiss]

Hi Ralph,

You got a great deal on the storage! I visit Steppin'Up at the marina where she is stored for the winter every week or so.

When you took Paricia Lee out last fall was there much growth on the bottom? I had quite a bit on the side that faces the lake and gets the morning sun but is easily washed off with a hose. I always get a scum line just under the boot stripe which requires a bit of rubbing to get off. All in all the Aquagard is great stuff. I may not recoat this year either.

Good to see your message . . .

[Ralph Erickson]

Hi, Gil!  Good to touch base with you.  There wasn't much scum to speak of, but like you, there was more on the side that faces the lake.  Had to lightly scub a few places, but nothing to complain about.  I've almost driven over  to the lake a time or two to take a gander at things, but have just been to busy.  Patricia Lee is stored only 5 minutes from home, so I'll get to see her all the time and check in on her.  I'd say I really lucked out - most places I called wanted $45 to $50 per month!

Say hi to Carole.

Ralph

[Gil Weiss]

I just received my marina slip invoice for the 2006 sailing season. This is a true sign of better days ahead and one bill I don't mind paying!

[Craig]

Yesterday was sunny and warm (upper 50s) with a good breeze. If I could have I would have gone sailing. Sring fever was in the air!  But, alas, I still have to work for a living.

Craig

[Gil Weiss]

Yes my friend, January has had several excellent sailing days here in Southeastern PA. My boat is all wrapped up , the docks and ramps are pulled up so I am just reminded that better days are ahead . . .