After months of looking for a 26s I ran accross a 26d. The price was low enough that I figure I would get it and if she needed to be put to rest I could strip the hardware off and at least make what I purchased her for back. So here is what I know about her so far.
I found it on a mountain top in TN. (Im not about to break into song.) Where it sat on its trailer for at least 5 years. Looks like at some piont the hatch was opened and lots of rain water came in. (lots and lots of water and some leaves.) Good news is it appears that there are no leaks below the water line and slightly above it. I got most of the water out and towed it home. I spent the last 2 days drying out the last of the water and pulling out all the parts that where stuffed inside.
Hull seems sound. It at least holds water. I suspect the ballest tank is good too. It was bone dry. I'm gonna fill it up this weekend just to make sure. The uper deck seems to be very solid. I weight 250lb so I was impressed that it didn't even feel a little mushy. I was told the sails where shreeded. The main is shreded. The jib (I think) is on a Mariner Hank On Furler. I appears to be ok. (I would replace it later on) The dagger board and rudder are in good condition, but needs a tiller. All lines need to be replaced and a block or two. It came with a 2-stroke 5hp Suzuki that started right up.(I was amazed didnt expect that). The bimini was in ok condition. The fabric looked brand new except one spot that a mouse chewed through. That shouldnt be to hard to patch. And of course all deck hardware and rubrail needs to be rebedded.
Now comes the part that worries me the most. The bench seats in the cockpit seem to be soft. It also creeks alot when steped on. Those of you that have had this area opened up, what is supporting those seats? Wood? Thick fiberglass? The way the liner is shaped on the inside it looks like there may be a 2x4 run down the middle of that bench. If there is, how much trouble is it to go in a replace that or put something in there to stiffen it up?
I'm still deciding on wether of not to dive head first into this project. Any recommendations/comments are welcome.
Thanks in advance
I found it on a mountain top in TN. (Im not about to break into song.) Where it sat on its trailer for at least 5 years. Looks like at some piont the hatch was opened and lots of rain water came in. (lots and lots of water and some leaves.) Good news is it appears that there are no leaks below the water line and slightly above it. I got most of the water out and towed it home. I spent the last 2 days drying out the last of the water and pulling out all the parts that where stuffed inside.
Hull seems sound. It at least holds water. I suspect the ballest tank is good too. It was bone dry. I'm gonna fill it up this weekend just to make sure. The uper deck seems to be very solid. I weight 250lb so I was impressed that it didn't even feel a little mushy. I was told the sails where shreeded. The main is shreded. The jib (I think) is on a Mariner Hank On Furler. I appears to be ok. (I would replace it later on) The dagger board and rudder are in good condition, but needs a tiller. All lines need to be replaced and a block or two. It came with a 2-stroke 5hp Suzuki that started right up.(I was amazed didnt expect that). The bimini was in ok condition. The fabric looked brand new except one spot that a mouse chewed through. That shouldnt be to hard to patch. And of course all deck hardware and rubrail needs to be rebedded.
Now comes the part that worries me the most. The bench seats in the cockpit seem to be soft. It also creeks alot when steped on. Those of you that have had this area opened up, what is supporting those seats? Wood? Thick fiberglass? The way the liner is shaped on the inside it looks like there may be a 2x4 run down the middle of that bench. If there is, how much trouble is it to go in a replace that or put something in there to stiffen it up?
I'm still deciding on wether of not to dive head first into this project. Any recommendations/comments are welcome.
Thanks in advance
