still waiting to launch

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Jun 12, 2010
936
Oday 22 Orleans Marina, NOLA
Well, I've come to grips with the fact that working on my boat while its in my front yard is just as good as sailing her (it's not). I've repaired the bite my prop took out of the rudder in a careless moment last season. I've patched a crack in the keel that (thankfully) was just some gel coat pealing off. I sealed some holes left open after a bad patch job when the stern rail was removed (maybe no more water in the bilge after a heavy rain?). I put on a two new coats of bottom paint. Now I could technically launch, but the interior is a mess (all original) and it would be just a weekend or two to replace all the wood inside. Sigh. While the mast is down I'd like to add a mast plate, and new jib track - the list goes on. The jib track I could do in the water, the interior would be a lot more convenient to do at home. I want to go sailing - at least the weather has been too hot or stormy or windy or too calm. That's what I tell myself anyway.
 
Dec 27, 2012
587
Precision Precision 28 St Augustine
I know what your going through. I picked up my 22 last December. I've been working on her ever since. I wanted to dock it this year but decided to trailer her this year. I figured I could work on her at home but still go sailing when I want to.

I worked on the cabin over the winter. Wet sanded, compounded and polished early Spring. Now I'm grinding out the cracks, filling and gelcoating the toe rails. The port side is done. A portio. Of the starboard side is filled but still needs gelcoat. I'm using as is and working on her when time allows.
 
Aug 22, 2011
1,113
MacGregor Venture V224 Cheeseland
I feel your pain. We will splash finally tomorrow. The important things are fixed - the rest must wait.

Every time we go to sail I always take projects tools and materials with plans to do on the water - and never do any of them.

I took a chunk out of my rudder last year too - its still ruds we're goin....

You'll get there!
 
Jun 29, 2010
1,287
Beneteau First 235 Lake Minnetonka, MN
I also feel your pain as I am still in "dry dock" due to having to do my fall deck recore project now. Weather has not been cooperative either as we seem to get rain in the evenings almost everyday now. Makes it tough to do anything you want to keep dry after work. Its a small area that is being done and if one had a couple straight days of nothing else to do, it would be done by now.

Good luck and hope you get splashed very soon.
 
Jun 12, 2010
936
Oday 22 Orleans Marina, NOLA
Well, misery loves company and I do feel better knowing there are others in the same spot. Deck recore! I need to do that also - near the mast so somewhat critical - the mast is solid but I think that's where the water is getting in - a soft spot has developed (well, it was there when I bought the boat) just forward and below the mast on the port side.

Over the weekend I oiled the teak, gave it a bath, installed a marine stereo I had for 6 months now - bought a new trailer tire, a new battery, a vhf-fm splitter, and I'm building a terminal organizer board for the battery
connections which is a rat's nest right now.

Interior wood will wait.
 
Jun 3, 2004
269
Oday and Catalina O'Day 25 and Catalina 30 Milwaukee
Launching on Wednesday

Final tweaks to the boat tomorrow and then I launch on Wednesday in the AM. I wish I had been in a couple of weeks ago but it takes a while for the Lake Michigan water to warm up anyhow. At least I'll be in for the longest day of the year and hope to get a good 3.5 months of sailing in this year.

Dave
s/v Lagniappe
O'Day 25
 
Oct 2, 2008
1,424
Island Packet 31 Brunswick, Ga
Well, misery loves company and I do feel better knowing there are others in the same spot. Deck recore! I need to do that also - near the mast so somewhat critical - the mast is solid but I think that's where the water is getting in - a soft spot has developed (well, it was there when I bought the boat) just forward and below the mast on the port side.

Over the weekend I oiled the teak, gave it a bath, installed a marine stereo I had for 6 months now - bought a new trailer tire, a new battery, a vhf-fm splitter, and I'm building a terminal organizer board for the battery
connections which is a rat's nest right now.

Interior wood will wait.
It's worth the wait, but you have to let some little things slide to get on the water. It sounds like you have your priorities straight.
I had to repair the core under my mast also, along with a lot if other stuff. You might see my thread about those things. I believe "cutta hole in my boat" around 2008. Also the photo album re same on my profile.
Good luck to all!
 
Apr 23, 2013
25
Oday 19 backyard
here I thought I was the only one around who hadn't gotten their boat in the water yet. LOL Been going through the trailer on mine mostly plus a few things for the boat. Hoping to get it in the water this weekend barring any surprises.
 

rs8684

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Jul 6, 2011
32
Oday 23 Lake Nockamixon
My 23 is still sitting in my yard. Took off a Monday a month ago, needed 3 days to do some work and to get her in, and of course, it starts pours on Saturday afternoon and doesn't stop till Monday night. Haven't touched her in over a month, but what can you do? I'm sure none of us are retired. Hey, sometimes the idea is just as nice as actually doing it...
 

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,833
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
Hoping today is the day. Got launched late last Friday, limited time to do the final finishes needed to go sailing. Need to install the Genny and depth finder and I can get out sailing.
Off for a couple of days so should be a good weekend sailing.
 
Aug 20, 2010
1,399
Oday 27 Oak Orchard
I can empathize completely with you guys. I'm still glad I waited even though it felt like I was cutting off my own leg. Losing a whole season to finish, as much as anything on a boat can be finished, was worth the wait. The silly things that pop up regardless of how meticulous you are provide plenty to do later. I prioritized in this order: safety (seaworthy), cosmetics (nobody wants you spraying gelcoat at the marina not to mention it ain't easy to buff in the water), gotta have and nice to have. It was easier and faster doing everything where I had all the tools and access to information right at my fingertips. Good luck with your projects.
 
Jun 12, 2010
936
Oday 22 Orleans Marina, NOLA
I see the light at the end of the tunnel. 90% of the gear is back on the boat - waiting for a trailer tire to come via UPS, then al I need is a weekend without any storms...that rules out this weekend, shooting for July 6th. :dance:
 
Aug 22, 2011
1,113
MacGregor Venture V224 Cheeseland
I see the light at the end of the tunnel. 90% of the gear is back on the boat - waiting for a trailer tire to come via UPS, then al I need is a weekend without any storms...that rules out this weekend, shooting for July 6th. :dance:

hurry up - we're waitin' on ya! Your're like the last one slow poke - no more blaming winter.

Put the other 10% on the boat and have the admiral pick up the tireless axle and get to water. Drive a little slower just in respect for her rank.
 
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