My season is done but the daydreaming has begun

[HeaveToo]

So my season is done.  It was a very short season with one real trip and a daysail.  I used it to gain valuable intel on what I need to do to make the boat cruise ready for next season.

After seeing how things went, here are my thoughts:

1.  Slip:  She is going into a slip for the season next year.
2.  Paint:  No surprise here...I need to bottom paint if she is in the water for 5 months or so.
3.  Bed:  My V-berth is good, but needs more cushion.  I need to add an egg crate foam mattress cover to help this out.
4.  The big mod:  This is the big one!  New flexible water tank to go in the V-berth in the area the original was in.  Move the battery from this location back to the original battery location in the starboard lazzerette.  Add a second group 27 in parallel to the port lazzerette. 

I am thinking that these are next years goals.  The added battery power will ease my mind for the longer cruises.  I did okay on a 5 day cruise but it was a bit nerve wracking towards the end because I didn't know the status of the battery (checking with a volt meter works okay but it would be nice to have a Vikron Battery Monitor).

Does anyone know how to do a water pump in a Tohatsu 8hp 2 cycle outboard?  Mine seems to be working but this might be a good idea and cheap insurance. 

What are your plans for next season?

[brackish]

Well my season is not over in fact just starting to be good.  Going to do an overnight Mon or Tues next week calling for winds 12 out of the south with temps in the high seventies and overnight in the high forties.

But a couple of my ongoing projects are similar to yours.  I just bought an egg crate memory foam piece and cut it to fit the V-berth last week.  I also bought a king top sheet to make a custom fitted sheet for the V-berth.  Fresh bottom paint in the Spring.  Hopefully this is the year I'll make a custom drawer cooler for the companionway compartment.  And I have concluded this is not the boat to own for launch and sail.  Mine will continue to stay in the water year round where I'm ten minutes from casting off.

[Jim23]

Here's a link to the part I used to replace the impeller in my 1999 Tohatsu 8hp 2 stroke...

http://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|311|2349108&id=53904

It was definitely one of the easiest impellers I have done. Hardest part was removing the shaft pin but still not a big deal. Here's a video of the process basics...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lh6z2hTrNJg

I'm out for the season also. It's unfortunate that our marina closes Oct. 15th because we've had some beautiful weather since then. I do feel slightly held hostage by their schedule. I daysailed at least 20 times this year so I can't complain too much.

-Jim

[Bob23]

While fall is here in NJ and winter draweth nigh, I refuse to let my season end. I've gone to a marina for a month or so to extend the season.
I replaced my Nissan 8hp 2 stroke impeller on my picnic table this summer. One of the easiest jobs I've ever done, although I have a background in car and heavy equipment mechanics. Just don't hurry, take pictures as you go if you're unsure and get a book.
Heave:
   Do you have a solar charger? I have one battery on board my 23 and while I haven't gone as long as you, I have never run out of juice. I guess I should install a battery monitor. I'll put it on the list.
Bob23

[Mike]

have never applied bottom paint.  Am in fresh water but intend to moor the boat for next season too.  Is the paint job owner friendly and what do you recommend as a product.

[HeaveToo]

Battery Monitors are good things.  I had one on the Catalina 30 that I put in.  It was a huge peace of mind to see a status on your battery without playing the voltmeter game.

I have a very small solar charger for when she is on the trailer....5 watt.  I want to add a 60 watt panel or so next season if I can swing it.  I would like to put it on the bimini so it will be a flexible panel.  I wouldn't mind going to 80 watts if it will work out and fit where I want it.

Having two group 27 batteries will help out.  That is a lot of power to use and it is the same set-up as my Catalina 30.  I miss the 30 amp alternator though.

I am not sure if I will do much extended cruising next year.  I have a new puppy (probably won't fit on the boat and if she did getting her in and out will be awful since she is a Giant Maso Mastiff and will be hitting over 100 pounds by next June). 

Some positive things are:

Dealing with the porta potty wasn't so bad.  It worked well for just me and I have found creative ways around using it all of the time (going to shore in the morning and the evening to public bathrooms etc.). 

The boat sail well and takes rougher weather well.  I was impressed on how she felt in some snotty conditions.  I still wouldn't mind having a second reef point in the main down the road though.

There was a got bit of room in the boat.  I did end up moving my huge suitcase around every night out of the V-berth to a quarter berth.  I did the same with my folding bike and unless I was going places like Solomons Island or going to have to get groceries I won't take it.  I WAY WAY WAY over packed my clothes as I tend to do because I was not sure of what the weather would be like (cool evenings with warm days and chances of storms or rain).  It wasn't a big deal and I have always been one to take more because I am always considering the what-ifs.

My cooler was good and had good storage.  It won't keep ice forever like others but it gives me plenty of room and it will last for a day or two.  This is all I ask for because I usually get fuel and ice at least every other day.  Not a big deal at all.

The 6 gallon tank was a great add.  I still carry a 2.5 gallon jerry jug and I keep in the cockpit lashed down.  This is an adequate set-up and is enough fuel to keep me feeling safe.

Cloth bimini and dodger combo was awesome.  It is nice to leave the companionway open when it is raining or you are in rougher water.  I have a connector too and this is a great thing to have as well. 

Oh well, I can't wait to go for some more cruises next spring.  There is a place near me called Bretton Bay that is awesome.  If you go to the end of it you come to Leonardtown, MD.  There is a pubic landing there and you can take your dingy to it and tie it up (they launch kayaks from there).  You can walk into Leonardtown and there are a few nice restaurants and nice places to walk.

[Bob23]

  Although my journeys haven't been as long as yours, I came to many of the same conclusions. I tend to overpack also but being on a small boat makes you rethink everything. Forces you to plan exactly what you want to wear, eat, read, etc.
  I also carry extra fuel in a 5 gallon jug which I lash forward of the cabin on the foredeck. I just ran some line between the stanchion bases and lash to the handle of the jug. It's never moved even when hit by gusts or heeled over. I don't like clutter in the cockpit. I did design a simple system of light line which acts as a "cage" over the jug to prevent the jib sheets from jamming. It works great, isn't permanent, and was made from left over line. Read: El Cheapo!
  A few years ago I played around with a foam cooler prototype in which, during somewhat controlled tests, I was able to keep ice for 5 days. The recent incarnation of that test is a plan to build a foam cooler holder in the enlarged portside storage area which will receive my marine Igloo cooler, forget the size. With a foam cover, I should be able to keep beer and other necessities cold for 5 days. I should mention I usually sail alone so the entire v-berth area is for storage. I sleep outside or on the starboard berth.
Bob23

[brackish]

have never applied bottom paint.  Am in fresh water but intend to moor the boat for next season too.  Is the paint job owner friendly and what do you recommend as a product.

Bare GRP, never been painted before?  If so Interlux Interprotect 2000E barrier coat, then my personal favorite is Blue Water Marine SCS45 with slime guard. 

Owner friendly? depends on the individual.  My boat came with the barrier coat already done, but I have done the antifouling bottom paint on the trailer.  Not my favorite thing to do but can be done.

[HeaveToo]

Brackish is right about the joys of bottom paint.  Happy Happy Joy Joy.  Definitely use barrier coat first.  That is unless you want issues like blisters.  Blisters are the boogie man of the marine industry but they still suck if you get them.  An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of cure.  Prevent with the barrier coat!

I wish I had access to two jackstands for bottom painting on the trailer.  That would make life easier when it came to painting where the bunks are located.

Previously on my Hunter 22 I had the trailer bottom painting down to a science.  I had a very heavy section of 4x4s that I made into a brace.  To paint the back area where the boards were I simply used the trailer tongue jack and got it as low as possible.  I put the heavy brace in place and then jacked up the trailer so that the back of the boat was resting on the brace.  I was able to paint both back sides where the bunks were.  Once that was dry I would remove the back brace and do something similar for the front.

The thing is that the Hunter was much lighter than the Compac.  I don't know if I would want to try that with the Compac.  I have heard of using jackstands and then taking a bunk down to paint.  Once the paint is dry put the bunk back up and remove the jackstand.  Repeat for the other side.  The bottom of the keel is the big issue that I see.  It is a shame that blocking and hauling a boat is so damn expensive anymore.  My Catalina 30 cost over $350 and I am sure that is low compared to what others pay.  Actually, I think it was closer to $400 or slightly more the last time I did it.

I try to eek as much as I can out of every boat buck.  Yes, I am cheap most of the time.  There are a few places I know not to cut corners and I won't do them there.  Safety is the main reason to never cut a corner.

[Mike]

Nice to have answers from guys that have been there.  As indicated, not new to sailing but new bottom paint.  The P. O. had a fresh coat of something on the boat and it had been in salt water.  It looked nice but after pulling the boat this season, I noticed some very small blisters that must have been there all along.  My point is that the existing paint, while in good shape, is unknown.  Thank you for the tips on applying the coating but still a bit up in the air about a product to use.

[MacGyver]

Mike,

As a marina operator, and 14 year Fiberglass tech, I can tell you the best way to identify the paint to use is to talk to the guys spraying the boats off. Then look into that paint.
If it is customers washing the bottoms then the job is harder, but can still be looked into. Blister, not a big deal, several causes, and several fixes. Dont let anyone talk you into shaving all the gelcoat off though.....  that is only in extreme cases!
And if that even had to happen, besure it is repaired properly.... We just got done doing one the right way on a boat and the job was 4300 bucks! The P.O. had it professionally done and not even my 20 year vet representative knew what the hell they had done!

Anyway, I stand behind the Interlux products myself. Always had great luck with em, user friendly, and the Interlux 2000 barrier coat is in my opinion THE ONLY WAY to go when choosing for that purpose.

Mac

[HeaveToo]

The comment about Interlux for the barrier coat is something I have heard elsewhere and a lot.  Stick with the stuff that is known to work!