Sailed It! - Newby to Compac - Considering an '81,

[Duckie]

The trailer is the only critical thing I can see.  If you can't get it to the water safely, you don't really have a boat.  You have a lawn ornament.  Throw some money at the trailer if you have to.  As far as the rest go, unless you intend to leave it in the water all summer, don't sweat the bottom paint.  You can pick away at that when you feel like it.  The peeling paint in the interior can be rubbed with a stiff brush to take off the loose stuff and then repainted with a nine inch roller.  Some might disagree, but regular exterior house paint should do the trick.   It looks like you mostly have mildew spots on the topsides.  Grab a bucket of soapy water and a scotch bright pad and watch that disappear.  The cracks in the gelcoat are easy fixes.  Watch SV Hideaway videos on Youtube.  One of them shows him using a tube of gelcoat repair goo to fix some of his cracks.  It looks pretty easy. 

I think you done good.  For what you paid, you have the potential of having a fine little yacht.  Have fun with it and only work on it when it needs it to survive, or when you feel like it and it will be worthwhile. 

Al

[nies]

The black mildew stain will come off easy by spraining Clorox Clean-up Cleanes+Bleach and scrub/rinse..............................get at grocery store..............for years used everything from elbow grease to expensive hull cleaners.................this works like magic....................nies

[mikew]

Ej, I would clean up the boat and go sailing this summer- some other ideas, the keel paint could be sanded and recoated with a bottom paint, I used Pettit Hydrocoat ( water based copper type), or a gell coat SAFE chemical stripper. The deck gel cracks could be filled with a two part white filler " Marine Tex". The interior paint shedding is common with these boats, a plastic scraper, sanding, wipe down and latex paint. I would remove wheel hubs and check bearings, repack as needed. Bearing buddies are needed to protect the bearings, you need to dip trailer covering fenders to launch. If you need new trailer lights, Lowes sells a complete set of lights like the original at a good price made by " Peterson".

Mike

[Wilbs61]

Hi EJ,

I read a piece of advice on this forum once that helped me make a decision on which boat to buy.  The advice was something like " Do you want to work on it or sail it?".  I decided I wanted to sail it and bought the better of the three boats I was looking at.  Pretty much mint shape and a great trailer for less then $4,000.  Only thing I did was give it a buffing before the first sail.  Wife was happier as well!  Best of luck Dave

[EJ]

I Sailed It today!  The winds were 20-25mph with gust to 30.  She was very stable, I had to heave to one time.  There were three of us on the boat, A friend with experience that helped me  and my wife, it was a good day.
Total cost to date:
purchase $1000
Sails (cleaning, reef points and repair) and lines and sheaves $600
E trolling motor and battery $200
Tires $100
Trailer rehab $250
Fiberglass repair $100
Misc. $200
Total $2350
For this area these types of boats are rare.

I still have to rehab the wood, paint the inside, marine tex and sand and paint the bottom.  I'll take my time on this. I am pleased, this boat is a good fit for my needs and sails well in these mountain winds.  I am looking forward to a Lake Powell trip later this summer.

The fiberglass cleaned up well with the suggested Bars Keeper Friend,  I still have not buffed it but is looks ok.  The trailer was the most work as observed.

I sincerely appreciate everyone's input.  Thank you.

[GeeW]

Well done on getting afloat, It's a good feeling.
Gordon

[ChuckD]

EJ,
Congrats!
20-25 gusting to 30 is some thrilling sailing!

Thanks for the update, shipmate!
Chuck