Association Forum - Too Many Projects ? Those on Frontburner & ?

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Too Many Projects ? Those on Frontburner & ?

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Member Avatar

USA
3478 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/12/2006 : 10:06:38

It seems no end to projects popping up. Must be a good sign if viewed as projects and not chores. I was wondering what others are working on: Completed/Frontburner/Backburner-Ready for the fire ?

Off The Burner last few months (Completed):
Sailing average of 2-3 times each week thru winter
4 Spring Outboard Bracket installed
20W Solar Panel and Controller Installed
Fishfinder w/SwingArm installed replacing non-working Depthfinder
New Honda 2006 9.9hp 4-Stroke motor installed
Interior teak treated w/Howard's Restore-A-Finish and Feed-N-Wax

Frontburner (working):
Sailed yesterday, may sail this afternoon
Exterior Teak, sanding completed, starting 3 coats of Cetol Light

Backburner soon to be in the fire:
Rewiring mast light(s) and replacing bulbs. Probably will replace anchor light (non-working .85Amps) w/2NM LED Anchor light (~.25Amps)
Replace slipping Windex w/new. Readjust mast/stays - Needs longer shackle for bow to furling rig connection. (~April06)

PolyGlow Hull Coatings (After Exterior Wood treated ~~April06)

VBerth Storage Area - Bought matls already: Building a frame/shelf around thru-hulls to protect and then more easily utilize remaining area for storage. (~April06)

Apply bottom paint - 1st inspect blisters and decide if fixing this year or keeping on backburner. (~~~August06)

Replace electrical panel (~~TBD)

Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 10:13:29

aah... the life of a boat owner

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 10:25:50

Very nice list...I like that "sailing" was able to be accomplsihed, too!

From the time I purchased my boat to about year 3 (maybe 4?), I was able to whittle my list to a more manageable level, but those first few years were brutal!

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 11:35:43

This reminds me of my list which I entered onto Excel so I could assign priorities and perform a sort.

Towards the end I was running out of time I even broke things down according to what could only be done when it wasn't raining, what could be worked on in the house, what could be done after the boat was launched and so on. Got it all done and then started another list!

Good luck!

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3478 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 11:54:40

I feel I have accomplished a lot looking back at the past few months. I suspect I will or should slow down since other things to do. Boating is great but need to not skip out on outdoor biking & fitness center exercises to keep the old body in good health. Also, need to keep other family members happy...doing varied activities and not just a one track mind on boating.

Now having said that...feel a lot better ! Might as well get back to the projects ! LOL

Edited by - on

Dan86
Navigator

Members Avatar

130 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 20:08:23

Don, glad to hear I am not alone, my boat has been in my hands for three years and I feel like I have done nothing but work on her, She is now to a managable level, to where I feel safe in most conditions. I have in the last three years, repaired the rudder and updated pintles and gudgeons, Replaced the starboard bulkhead, repaired and refineshed the exterior teak, rewired the mast, updated windex, replaced anchor light, added deck / steaming light, added new mast plate, put new tohatsu motor on, replaced the standing rigging, added bimini, replaced all windows, resealed the chainplates, made pieces for a queen size bed, made new curtain rods and curtains, added mast gates, replaces sheaves at the top of the mast, did my own bottom job last year and repaired blisters prior to that. Whew, alot of stuff and lots of advice from this community. However, the list continues..... Dan 86 TR/FK

Edited by - Dan86 on 03/12/2006 20:18:58

Ben - FL
Admiral

Members Avatar

880 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 20:40:37

Very nice webpage Larry! I was up to Washington, DC back in 2001. In fact we flew out less than a day before 9-11. But I did visit a very big marina on the Potpmac R. while my wife had to work. It was just next to a very large fish market and down the hill from our hotel, the Loews L'Enfant. Would that be where you are berthed?

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3478 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 22:38:00

Ben,

On 9-11 the Pentagon was also hit and we could see the smoke from my office.

The big marina next to the Fish Market, is the Gangplank Marina. They have a lot of house boats there and I believe most people in that marina live there year-round. You can tell something's up when you see some of those floating boats look exactly like houses with roofs and all including their direct TV dishes.

There is also another marina just north of the Fish Market which is kind of hidden and you probably did not notice it. It was supposedly the first marina in the area and believe the US Govt had something to do with it getting established. In 1951 the family that took it over still owns it and they specialize in motor repairs and motor sails. Also inflatables. In fact, I recently bought my Honda 2006 from them and at the time they were fulfilling a Homeland Security order for at least 12 Zodiacs with big Evinrude motors. Think the contract was for more ~$70K an inflatable (worth ~ $1 Million ?). I was watching them test run one or two, then they were deflating them and shipping them off to wherever they are going to use them.

My Marina is about a 1/4-1/2 mile away from the Fish Market area. The Fish Market & Gangplank Marina are on a channel alongside the Potomac and my marina is right next to that channel but actually located on the Anacostia River just before it joins with the Potomac River.

Edited by - on

lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 03/12/2006 : 22:44:10

The only projects I have planned this year are to replace the main electrical switch panel and some wiring, and to strip, sand, and refinish the exterior woodwork (probably with Cetol). The PO used just plain teak oil, and it doesn't last very long in our hot dry summer climate.
I replaced all the exterior lights in 2004, but the stern light is showing an intermittant fault and the anchor light switch failed completely last summer, requiring me to swap the anchor light wire to the unused "accessory" switch. All the switches are probably corroded inside. The factory placement of the switch panel in the '88~'89 was terrible; putting in under the companioway steps not only makes it hard to get at, but that space is practically in the bilge, about the dampest place they could have picked.
Can I just replace the switches instead of buying a whole new panel?

Edited by - on

bbriner
Captain

Members Avatar

349 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 10:09:55

When I bought Wind Dancer 2years ago I wanted a boat that I could just sail - I didn't want a "project boat". Haha, little did I know! I keep it in the water year-round and like Larry try to sail at least once a week. When Friday-night beer can races start then it will be more like 2x/week. We mainly just day sail but we do a few overnights - no extended cruises though. Even though it's not a 'project boat'

, so far I have sanded and oiled the teak (several times now:)), repainted the bottom (due again this fall/winter), repaired one of the gudgeons, reinforced the motor mount with a new backing plate, installed a new vang, a new traveler car, a new mast plate, all new standing rigging, replaced the spreaders, the masthead sheaves, and the anchor and steaming lights. I've re-rigged the topping lift and the outhaul and rigged a new spinnaker (spare) halyard. I've had the engine overhauled, the mainsail reconditioned and purchased a new porta-potti, a new sail cover, a whisker pole, a tiller clamp and a battery charger. As for the interior I've refinished the wood (with Howard's Restore-a-Finish) and purchased new cushions.

On the 2006 list I have (1) replace all standing rigging and run lines aft, (2) rebed/reseat aft/port-side pulpit stanchion (and maybe more), (3) install mast gates (purchased from CD), and, maybe, (4) buy a new mainsail.

Like everyone here there are many other projects on the backburner list (the biggest one being re-wiring). For this being 'not a project boat' the list is surprisingly long!! Thanks to this forum the list keeps getting longer!!! What is it about a man and his boat?

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3478 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 12:10:41

Larry - I don't know about replacing the individual switches. The way prices are these days, you would probably pay more buying all the switches separately than just getting a replacement switch panel such as what Catalina Direct offers - If that one is to your liking. But then you are into a total rewiring project.

Bill - Wow ! That is some list.

The rewiring with a new switch panel and located more convenient for others to get to as well as for single handed sailing is something i would like to do. But...not yet committed to it. Maybe I will just buy the switch panel and mount it on the board I have on to the rear of the right starboard shelve. and...rewire it some other time. LOL

Bill -

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 14:00:58

Recall that I added a panel for the circuits that I care about while sailing and used the vacated ones on the old panel for the radio, fans, etc. While I was at it I added another 120 volt outlet for the quarter berth.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 03/13/2006 14:01:58

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 14:34:50

I spent time this weekend removing the old water tank and grinding out the old sink drain through hull.

My list:
Reglass port bulkhead tabs
Patch through hull hole
Put in stove
Install head
Install new water tank and holding tank (gray water).
Replace panel and wiring.
Rebed all cabin top hardware as well as installing clutches
Redo backstay
rewire mast
put on spreader boots
Replace all the running lights
Replace the mast base sheeves
Build table that folds dowwn into bed
Install wind instruments
Finish boom rebuild
Install fixed boom hardware and rigid boom vang.
Install hiking stick socket and tiller keeper
Maintenance and clean up of outboard
Replace lifelines
Install double cascade cunningham system
Update traveler and mainsheet set up

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3478 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 17:11:47

Everyone has their own gigantic list. It's amazing. I think we need to quit our jobs, work is getting in the way of my personal life !

Frank - I have to take a look at that area under the sink. That's also a better location than under the steps and it's mainly the night lights that are the pain to deal with because it's hard to fiddle with them under the steps when sailing. The cabin lights and accessory could stay where they are unless trying to consolidate. Moving the switch panel to the right starboard shelf requires more wiring than the closer location like you used under the sink. Just another thing to think about.

Edited by - on

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 17:29:56

I'm putting one of these in the cockpit to control my lights.
[url="http://www.davebristow.com/boaterbits/images/dec8/tyuyt3.jpg"]Waterproof panel[/url]

Edited by - on

Dan86
Navigator

Members Avatar

130 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 18:14:07

Frank, I too have a small window unit that I would like to permanently mount in the quarterberth. How did you brace it to take the pounding that rough water delivers, and did you vent yours with the computer cooling fans? Also, how much condensation did you have and, finally, did you add limber holes to the bilges? That about sums it up

Dan

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

Members Avatar

Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2006 : 21:43:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dan86
 Frank, I too have a small window unit that I would like to permanently mount in the quarterberth. How did you brace it to take the pounding that rough water delivers, and did you vent yours with the computer cooling fans? Also, how much condensation did you have and, finally, did you add limber holes to the bilges? That about sums it up

Dan
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Those are all good questions. The big surprise is that there is no condensation. The super humid air is circulated out and replaced so fast that no condensation build-up ever happens.
There is a series of photos on my two AC installs here, [url="http://homepage.mac.com/fhopper/PhotoAlbum104.html"]web page[/url], scroll down a few panes and start the slide show with the AC install shots.

On the 5k BTU unit I ran a trip of 3/4 inch ply scrap left from making the two short bulkheads for either side of the AC. Screw the strip into the bulkheads on either side then screw the window lip to the strip. On the 6.5k BTU I changed out the ply scrap for a black wall hanging shelf strip, screwed it into the half bulkheads and the window strip on top of the AC into it. You will be very pleased with how well the install will go. Leave a piece of carpet scrap lying on the quarterberth floor to slide the AC on so you wont scratch the fiberglass.

The units require that everything be out of the sail locker, except jackets on the shelf. You need that volume to have adequate air circulation. You must have two fans setting in the opening of the sail locker. With the 5k BTU I could use a dual window fan that allowed each fan to reverse independently. One blew fresh air in, the other sucked humid air out. That dual fan was great in the spring and fall just hanging over the hatch opening. The 6.5 BTU unit I now use needed bigger fans, I have two lakewood 9" high velocity fans, (Walmart I think). Regardless of the size of the unit you put in you will need an air circulation fan under the stairs to move the cool air out into the boat salon. I use a monster Vornado fan but the Lakewood 9" are also very nice for that job as well.
This may all sound like a lot of crap but I tie up, plug in, pull the fans out of the sail locker and lay them across the opening, go down and turn on the unit and the boat is great in minutes.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
3478 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2006 : 05:41:47

Rick,

I had origially considered doing what you are planning - mounting a waterproof switch panel in the cockpit area. I mean what could be better ? The switches would be right there. no reason to go into the cabin !

I still feel that that is viable but kind of got turned off of that location because of a discussion i had with one of the West Marine guys. The switches are waterproof..but...he did not advise it. He mentioned that waterproof switches are generally used on fly bridges, etc where they are not constantly or directly subjected to rain. They are kind of protected if there was a canopy/cover but would get wet in that environment and that is why waterproof switches would be used in that location. But the thougth was not to trust it for long term use directly in the cockpit with no protection what-so-ever.

Since I am not yet ready to deal with a switch panel improvement - o the backburner with due date "TBD", I can mull this over some more. It is not imperative I have it so convenient in the cockpit and...while waterproof...things happen. I guess ...maybe if it was located in those side pockets where, for instance, AC connections are sometimes placed, that seems like a potential location and not directly exposed to rain every time it rains.

Anyway....look forward to what you come up with.

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.