No work on the boat this week– you may have heard we had a touch of “wintry-mix” in these parts. I’ve gotten down to the point where things need to melt before I can go further.
So what does a boat restorer do when he’s not restoring the boat? He thinks about restoring the boat!
I’ve put together four major milestones to work toward: launch her into the water, make her “sleepable”, make her liveaboard-able, and finally operational. Beyond that is the rather nebulous (at this point) goal of long-range cruising (to points south of here, where there’s no snow!) The tasks aren’t in any particular order with each milestone, beyond the order that I dreamt them up.
The first milestone is primarily one of motivation– the sooner she’s in the water, the more I’ll want to work on her. Also, in a slip she’ll have a continuous power supply (to keep the batteries topped up and the pumps running if need be), and she won’t freeze up in the winter. As much. I hope. So before she can go back in the water:
- repair/replace the port prop-shaft; it has pit-corrosion at the stuffing box.
- replace stuffing box packing in the prop-shaft and rudder-post tubes.
- inspect/repair/replace all thru-hull fittings.
- install proper bilge-pumps and wiring.
- install battery charger/inverter.
- sand/paint topsides (or rehab the gel-coat, if that’s an option).
- sand/paint bottom.
- decide on a new name – paint it on the transom.
- drain/inspect/clean fuel and water tanks.
- find/repair all weather leaks.
- install proper shore-power connection for the battery charger.
The second milestone is the ability to spend the weekend comfortably aboard. This allows the sale of our other “sleepable” boat to pay for more boat-wiring. Before we can sleep on her, we need to restore the starboard sleeping compartment at a minumum:
- gut the starboard cabin, saving what brightwork is in good enough condition.
- repanel stbd. cabin bulkheads.
- replace stbd. cabin sole.
- repair/replace stbd. cabin door.
- paint/finish stbd. cabin bulkheads.
- replace/rebuild bunk frames, etc.
- replace bunk cushions/covers.
The third milestone is a biggie– the ability to move onto the boat and join the ranks of the liveaboards. Before we can live aboard:
- gut/repair/replace entire cabin space (similar to the stbd. cabin above).
- install washer-dryer. we’ve found one that would work: http://www.splendide.com/splendide_wd2100xc.htm or something similar.
- repair/replace all galley fixtures.
- repair/replace stove.
- install new refrigerator.
- replace/install new AC wiring harness, including breaker panels, etc.
- replace/install new DC wiring harness (breaker panels, etc.)
- replace/rebuild the aft deck hatch covers.
- repair/replace all head fixtures, and install a proper holding tank and shower sump.
- repair/replace water system – fresh-water tanks and pump, and allow shore-water hookup.
- install a hot-water solution – either a new hot-water heater or an on demand (diesel?) hot water system.
And finally before we can take her out of her slip under her own power:
- replace all engine room hoses.
- install full-size house battery bank.
- install starter battery bank.
- get engines running- new alternators and starters.
- get generator running.
- acquire proper ground-tackle including repair/replace the windlass.
- install VHF radios and other electronics (GPS, chartplotter, autopilot, etc.).
- install Coast Guard required equipment (PFDs, flares, etc.)
- repair/replace navigation lights.
- repair/replace salon helm and flying bridge controls.
And before we can cruise anywhere far away:
- install new mast/rigging.
- acquire sails.
- wind-generator?
- solar panels?
- learn how to sail?? 😉
So there it is– pretty short list, eh?
Fair winds– and if you’re on the east coast this week: remember to lift with your legs!
Kirk