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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Blister repair from Hell

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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2012 : 19:50:49

I missed the lower pintle issue but it appears to me there's a bolt missing in the port backstay chainplate just under the rubrail.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/04/2012 : 20:09:56

Don, it's not an optical illusion. The lower pintle is somewhat off but it's probably been that way for well before I bought the boat over 6 years ago. I have removed the rudder perhaps 2-3 times for one reason or another but mostly keep it in place since I sail year-round. I never noticed any issue removing/reinstalling or using it. I guess I am not going to mess with it unless I decide to get a new rudder...and I was going to replace it but right now I am leaning toward keeping it a little longer. Here is a better photo of what you observed:

Edited by - OLarryR on 03/04/2012 20:10:25

Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2012 : 18:48:16

Looks like a great job!

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2012 : 21:05:08

CapT Sam - Thanks ! I think it came out great considering the days it looked hideous.

Gary - Hmmm ! I'll have to check out the backstay chainplate for a missing bolt. Thanks for the catch !

Edited by - OLarryR on 03/05/2012 21:06:09

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/09/2012 : 22:06:28

It looks like I will have to wait till next weekend before they get my boat back into the water. The bottom job is done but there was a small area on the starboard topside that was damaged during the 3 weeks they kept my boat alongside a derelict pier adjacent to the travel arm - 2 dime sized gel coat chips and a 6" x 3" scuffed up gel coat area. They repaired that area the other week but just have to paint the area. We had 2 warm days this week and they should have painted it then. They didn't and so now it looks like launching put off till next week.

GaryB - The "missing bolt" in port aft stay chainplate you spotted in one of my photos was on my mind this past week and so I checked it out this afternoon. Turns out the photo is not a closeup and therefore does not show enough detail of the chainplate. There is a bolt stud in the lower chainplate hole and that is clearly visible in the photo. The upper hole appears to be missing a similar bolt stud but having inspected it today, the upper hole actually has a large diameter phillips head machine screw installed flush with the chainplate and so looks like all is well !

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2012 : 19:05:05

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OLarryR
 ...The upper hole appears to be missing a similar bolt stud but having inspected it today, the upper hole actually has a large diameter phillips head machine screw installed flush with the chainplate and so looks like all is well!...
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Doesn't sound like the correct application for a machine screw. Is the other side the same?

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1795 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2012 : 19:14:40

Larry:

Your boat looks great -- a true inspiration to all of us who have thought about blister repairs and/or a total redo of our bottoms. You should have years of carefree sailing because of all the effort (and expense) invested.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2012 : 19:26:28

Peter - Thanks ! It has been a long ordeal Fall/Winter but done !

GaryB - WM sells machine screws with hex heads on them and Phillips Heads on them. I do not think I can easily check visually what's on the inside of the transom but I assume they both have similar hex nuts. Why they chose to use a phillips head through one hole and a hex head on the other is a mystery to me. Seems secure. Your boat have hex heads on both ?

Update: After this posting, I then searched the Cat 25 parts list and manual on this bulletin board but did they not provide enough detail of the transom chainplate. I then checked Catalina Direct and....apparently this was the design - One of the holes is countersunk in the chainplate to accept a phillips head that then sits flush on the chain plate.

I have a photo below from the Catalina Direct Website and here is a cut and paste quote that was with the photo:

"Note that one of the fastener holes are countersunk to accept a flat head bolt wher the chainplate is under the rubrail. Used on Catalina 25, 1985 and later, Catalina 27, and Catalina 30.

Some customers report they have only one bend in their 8" chainplate but this is the only 8" chainplate now available. For older 6" version see part #E1282 shown below."

Edited by - OLarryR on 03/10/2012 19:49:46

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4312 Posts

Response Posted - 03/10/2012 : 22:12:37

Thanks for the update Larry. I didn't mean to be critical. Just seemed odd to have one bolt and one screw.

I'll have to check on how mine is setup.

As others have said, your boat looks great!

Edited by - GaryB on 03/10/2012 22:13:36

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/13/2012 : 15:27:49

Now that the boat bottom is completely done, it is just this little 2' x 6" starboard topside repair that needs to be completed. That area was scuffed up when they delayed taking my boat out end of october. I found out why it's taking so long to complete the painting of that area. They plan to spray paint 3-4 coats over a 2-3 days period but did nt get to it last week because it was pretty windy and the paint would have gotten all over the hull. I left wrk 2 hours early today to see what was going on and they were just covering the adjacent areas with heavy paper to protect it from the spray. So...getting closer to getting iN the water. Estimate is they will finish the painting, dependent on weather conditions, this friday or saturday. The boat is expected to be put back in the water by next Tuesday or Wednesday. What an ordeal !!

Edited by - on

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 06:15:56

Hey, it's almost over! And at least you didn't miss any nice weather this winter... (ducks and runs)

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 08:40:54

Yeah....But this is painful. I normally sail in the winter and initially before I brought the boat in the average blister repair job turns out not to be that extensive and so was hoping to get back on the water end of Novemeber-December timeframe which I know was optimistic especially because they normally allow some time for the big blisters to dry out. Then when the boat was on land and they saw the blisters for the first time, then it was apparent I would be out till March timeframe. Last week we had some real nice days (windy but in the 70s). This week....hit low 80s yesterday and around there today as well as predicted to be mild all week....and we have perfect sailing winds this week ! Okay.....hopefully in next week !!

Meanwhile, almost every boat on land in the marina I'm visiting has not started painting yet. So...no wait list on their travel arm. There are, however, 3 cars that have to be m oved before the travel arm can make it's way to the independent contractor's boatyard located adjacent to the marina. One had a flat tire but it was moved a few days ago. One they will have no problems moving. The third car...has a bad starter so they will tow that one out of the way if not fixed before my boat is ready. Can't believe the logistics involved dealing with this repair !! But almost there !!!!!

Edited by - on

Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 03/14/2012 : 18:56:02

Larry
thanks for the great commentary. I hope to visit you on my next trip to DC and see all your work.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/15/2012 : 03:59:50

I wanted to capture what is involved with this type of repair. I did have other plans..I wanted to replace the standing rigging this year. I'll put that off for another time. Most other major things have been done (new motor in 2006, new Quantum sails now 3 years old, a number of mods and a new bottom this year) and I have certainly used my sailboat a lot in the past 6 years sailing an average of 3 sometimes 4 times a week during the main season and about 1-2 times a week from November thru March except during cold spells below the high 30s or if the Potomac River freezes over which can be for as much as 4-6 weeks or sometimes like this year - not at all. I can't believe my boat was out of the water this winter - One of the warmest in many a year !

Look forward for when you come up to DC area...be great if we can hook up. Meanwhile, looks like you are about ready to go out on your boat !! Happy sailing !!

Edited by - OLarryR on 03/15/2012 04:04:51

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2012 : 15:46:18

I called up the marina today and they told me they earlier saw the travel arm heading up to the boatyard and they thought my boat was by now (this afternoon) in the water.

I left work 1 1/2 hours early to check things out and sure enough, my boat is once again waterborne !!

Outboard started up fine. I brought down a full gas tank 2-3 weeks ago when I gave the outboard the trash can (water) test.

I was curious about the fishfinder since 7 coats of waterproofing epoxy was applied to the bottom and then 2-3 coats of copolymer Micron Extra anti-fouling paint. The verdict is not fully in on that. First time ever, I got somewhat erratic readings. It forst was blinking 10' (at basically low tide) then stayed on 4', then blinked again on 10-11' and then back to 4'. I probably won't know fully what to make of it until I head away from the derelict floating pier in the travel arm bay.

I plan to sail off on Friday morning when high tide is around 930am. The Fort Washington Marina is located on a shallow inlet best to get out semi-close to high tide. But the forecast is questionable since of all things, fog is predicted. Winds are supposed to 5-10mph and daytime temps 64F-74F. So...we shall see how the weather holds up for Friday's tentative lift-off. Then it's about a 10 miles back to my marina in the DC area.

Edited by - OLarryR on 03/20/2012 15:50:59

JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 03/20/2012 : 21:08:39

Welcome back to the water! I'm jealous!!!

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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3476 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2012 : 05:58:46

WHoo Hooo congrads!!! back to the bay!

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2012 : 06:22:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redeye
 WHoo Hooo congrads!!! back to the bay!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
More like back to da riva. Larry's a river rat like me, although his river is a little more scenic than mine. Although Philly's now my home, I grew up in Ft. Washington - our house was about a mile from where Larry's boat was hauled. Our family kept our boat under a covered dock at that marina, which the National Park Service removed when they bought it.

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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2012 : 08:45:37

Larry congrats on the job done
What was the entire time from out of the water to back in the water?

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/21/2012 : 20:38:00

I sailed my boat over to the Ft. Washington Marina around 28-29OCT11. It then stayed along the floating dock adjacent to the travel arm for a little over 2 weeks while the boatyard cleared out some boats and the area leading up to their facility. The boat was then lifted out of the water 14NOV11, put on blocks near the boatyard building and the major blisters were opened that day. The boat then sat there with basically no work performed until work started in ernest toward end of January. Boat was then put back in the water on 20MAR12. Approximately, 127 days.

Forecast for this Friday's tentative sail back to my marina has improved. Right now predicted to be partly sunny, high in low 80s (lows in mid 50s) and winds 6-12 mph ! I'll take that! Hope it stays that way.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2012 : 09:51:40

Larry - I sent you an email through a couple of different websites. Let me know if you didn't receive it and I'll resend.

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Sam001
Vice Commodore

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USA
441 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2012 : 16:52:34

127 days! thank goodness it was winter.

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 03/22/2012 : 20:10:27

Sam,

Relatively speaking...I guess I should not complain too much that it was 127 days given the fact that many have their boats out longer than that under normal conditions.

Rick - I received both EMails and responded. Just that I do not access my personal EMails at work, although I generally access the Forum early in the morning and again usually around lunch time. Then when I did get home, I did not go on my PC till close to 11pm. Sorry I could not respond earlier.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1795 Posts

Response Posted - 04/01/2012 : 13:47:29

Larry:

Well you motivated me. Had the bottom blasted down -- luckily very, very few blisters. I had asked that they NOT do the iron keel as it was in decent shape. Of course they did everything including the keel, but to my surprise are taking responsibility for it. The keel has some real divits, whcih will be filled, while the rest of the hull will be barrier coated so going forward the south side of the moon will look more like the Autobahn. So I am now a year ahead on that project although a year behind on this year's. Thanks for motivating me -- but next time pick a simpler and cheaper project!

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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3477 Posts

Response Posted - 04/02/2012 : 03:48:38

Peter,

If you plan to have your boat for many a year, getting the barrier coats now when you have few blisters will minimize your expense and put a protective barrier on the bottom that will last ...for a very long time...probably will never have to attend to the bottom again.

The good news is that you will get past this project and be sailing again.

I'm back out again having sailed 4 times this past week. So...let's see what else could I spend some dough on....well there is the standing rigging replacement which I put off this year and I was thinking maybe of getting a new compass, etc, etc. I think I am just going to sail, sit on my boat and enjoy ! No more work for now.

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