Clipper Mariner 21 ideas

[mklein@iowatelecom.net]

Hey, after missing out on the 28' American that Tom ended up with, I bought a 21' Clipper Mariner. Tom, how's it going? I am really blessed that Tom bought the American as I was really looking for a light easy to launch boat in the 1st place. This boat is extremely light and floats in 6.6" of water? Yes, it is a little small, but I should realistically get it out to sail more often. It has never been bottom painted, and has very little usage. Now then, I want some advice. I have only the original sails. Jibs seem very affordable used in this size. Has anyone successfully painted on the sails to bring in a little color? I hate to invest $600 - 800 in a new sail when the entire boat and trailer only cost $800. It does not have any life lines. Is there a source for a kit, or does anyone know of some used ones that would work? Does anyone have one of these boats? any pictures? What modifications have you done? I am still looking for a mac 26, but until one comes along in my area, this will give me something to do!
Cheers, Mark Klein

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Good to hear you had a good out come. I am very satisfied with the boat. We are still working on it. I will say that to me it is a very heavy boat. Seems to be extremely (to me) hard to deal with anything because of the sheer weight. We will be finishing sanding the bottom tomorrow and then we can paint. There were some shallow fiberglass dings that have been sanded out and I will repair with epoxy and fiberglass filler to fill and fair.

We have sanded all the exterior teak and have put several coats of spar exterior polyurethane on. It is looking good (the wood at least) we have coated all interior teak with 3-4 coats of poly also. I personally do not like the look of unvarnished teak. I know it is suppose to be left flat, but I don't like it.

She is starting to shine inside too. We will be roughing up the gel coat on the interior with 80 grit to accept EzyPoxy topsides paint in bright white high gloss, to get rid of the disgusting yellow interior. I will be painting the cushions with fabric paint to a nice dark navy blue.

Some of the mast hardware was missing and sheaves were gone too. I have ordered replacments from Duckworks.

All my 6 keel rollers were either cracked or missing. Those are on the way too. Will be installing a new 1/2" bow eye with a much larger backing plate. New 2 speed winch on the trailer as well as a very heavy duty (5000 lb rated) tongue jack.

By the time I get it in the water, I will have as much in it as was the original asking price. Just took the motor over to the Honda dealer to have it checked out and preped for service this year.

Here is one shot and my album link to show the progress.

http://sports.webshots.com/photo/2850078080070055750eFeQIa

Keep in touch Mark.

Tom...

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Mark, I don't believe there is any requirement for safety lines. Here is a site where the guys build their own boat of a size similar to yours and none of them install safety lines.

They do install toe rails to stop your foot from slippin off to the side. Most of what I have read about lines is that they are more of a hazzard than a help. They are too low. I have read where one author installed a line around the boat attached to the rigging at about 40" or so, that was at least he felt at a reasonable ht. to stop some one from going over the side.

As far as paint for sails go, you might do a search for fabric paint, that is what I am going to use on my cushions. Might work on sails too...

Nite...

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Oops, here is the site...

http://byyb.org/forum/

 

[Douglast]

you can look at a few photos of my clipper in my profile...i like this boat..the wife did all the cushions in waterproof upholstery blue velvet with a waterwave design...i redid all the bottom and sides with interlux 2 part epoxy as well as the interior and switched the swing keel winch to electric 2500 lb mini winch..now doing some more interior work with some ceder then next year all the topside to be done..

 

[mklein@iowatelecom.net]

Thanks for the photos guys! Tom, your boat looks like it is cleaning up very well. I knew it would be HEAVY. But, you have quite a boat. The Clipper is a pretty bare bones boat. I want to name it Spartan, but my admiral doesn't like the name. Douglast, do you have any information on your winch upgrade? You two make a good looking couple. I hope my wife enjoys this boat as much as yours seems to. I am also going to install some outdoor carpeting on the floor space and sides of the cabin to warm it up a bit. Getting ready to teak oil all of the wood before the varathane. Couple of little scrapes in the hull. Nothing major. Getting the gel coat out. Do you have any type of galley? I wanted lifelines to install netting for my youngest boy. Just feel better with it. Had it on my last boat. Works great for kids, not so much for adults.

 

[Tom Hoffman]

Mike, You might want to re think that idea of carpet. I tore mine out at the advice of a sailboat designer. He told me that the problem with carpet in a sailboat was that it was very hard to get it dried out once it got wet. Once that happens, you are very prone to have mold and mildue move in. So, I tore mine out. Now I have to deal with the really nasty old glue from the 70's. I have sanded it down as much as possible and will be re coating the interior deck and well deck area with this non skid product.

http://www.nonslipcoating.com/marine.htm

We rough up the gel coat inside today and got all the dirt and crud loose but not out, it was a mess, we ended up pressure washing the entire interior of the boat to get all the stuff into the bilge and vacumed it out.

Tomorrow we paint the interior.

Tom...

 

[Douglast]

. Douglast, do you have any information on your winch upgrade? .

..
i just got a decent quality 2500 Lb winch that has the same mount base that the hand winch had...and most small winches i looked at all had the same base and bolt pattern as the hand winch..the hand winch handle went up though the cock pit just in front of the galley door and now that is all eliminated...so i just mounted the electric winch right where the hand winch was and i just put a battery inside tucked under...and yes my clipper has shag rug all on the sides in the cabin...its all coming out before this season and wood going in...i took out the swing keel two years ago and redid it with sanding priming and repainting..thats when i did the electric winch upgrade..have to be careful though..i went to beach in a nice sandy cove and hit the winch and forgot about the swing keel lock pin..i got a real fast reminder when the winch was working harder then i knew it should..lol...the pin bolt bent pretty good but i managed to get it out and had a spare and we still got to beach nicely but if my guardian angel wasn,t looking over me i could have pulled the winch base out or the top of the keel step..my cabin is just a sleeping area in the nose for two and two very small kids could be tucked in the mid ship sides..and i have just two storage bins on each side of the center of the cabin

 

[mklein@iowatelecom.net]

My locking bolt for the keel has already been eliminated by a previous owner. The carpet I bought is outdoor carpet, but with a decent texture. Not astro turf. I will attempt to take some pictures after it's installed. It looks similar to the carpet used on the Mac 26 M. I have a small stove, but no sink located yet. Due to space, I wonder if I want a sink. It could go either way. I will have to look for a small winch. Thanks, now on to refinishing teak....

 

[Douglast]

the lock bolt from my understanding is quite important..i have read that in a knock down or near knockdown (severe heel) there is danger for the keel to recede therefor eliminating the natural upright with the keel pinned ...??..now i am not experienced but this is what i have understood from reading and i could be off base but i just thought i would mention it

 

[Douglast]

I have a small stove, but no sink located yet. Due to space, I wonder if I want a sink. It could go either way. .

well i use the transom well where my little outboard is mounted for a sink when i plug the drain...but i sail only fresh water..and i aint to terribly fussy on clean dishes..l

 

[kenn]

Mark, I don't believe there is any requirement for safety lines. Here is a site where the guys build their own boat of a size similar to yours and none of them install safety lines.

They do install toe rails to stop your foot from slippin off to the side. Most of what I have read about lines is that they are more of a hazzard than a help. They are too low. I have read where one author installed a line around the boat attached to the rigging at about 40" or so, that was at least he felt at a reasonable ht. to stop some one from going over the side.

Some owners of our type of small boat have put stanchions and lifelines on 'em, but it was mainly for kids (and in one case, a cat), and they strung netting on the lines.

A better idea for adults is to set up jacklines and use a harness and tether, so that you can clip in whenever going forward, or anytime you want added safety.

Our boat has a molded-in lip around the deck edges, and like toerails, it does improve your footing.

 

[sinnettc]

There's a clipper 21 a couple of slips down the dock from us; he doesn't have lifelines.

 

[mklein@iowatelecom.net]

It has been raining here, no work done... I am going to rewire, the lamp cord is in terrible shape. Where's the best place to buy a fused panel? I have thought about installing a automatice bilge pump. I don't think I really need it but ???? Lights and radio, not much should be needed. I have not really found any good source to lifeline parts. I must not be looking in the right places. I also need to find some 5 -6 ft zippers for replacements. Anybody have a source for these? My Chrysler did not have a locking pin for the swing keel. I used to heel until the toe rail was touching water. Never really bothered me. But then I was lucky enough to never capsize. Thanks, Mark

 

[kenn]

Where's the best place to buy a fused panel?
I have not really found any good source to lifeline parts.
I also need to find some 5 -6 ft zippers for replacements. Anybody have a source for these?

Assuming you're not reasonably close to a city with several marine stores, here are some online options:

fused panel
http://us.binnacle.com/Electrical-Circuit-panels/c58_196/index.html
There are lots available, actually. Small panels are not that expensive. West Marine have them. A big boatyard or marina may even have salvaged panels. If you're handy with electrics and can buy the parts, you could make your own fused panel.

lifelines, stanchions, rigging
http://www.riggingshoppe.com/browse.cfm/lifeline-fittings/2,200.html
http://us.binnacle.com/Deck-hardware-Rail-fittings-7/8-inch/c117_244/index.html

zippers, boat canvas
http://search.sailrite.com/?freeText=zipper

We live in a large lakeside city, with many marine suppliers, so I'm kind of spoiled for choice. There is also lots of used and salvaged equipment available. And dumpster-diving...

 

[mklein@iowatelecom.net]

Ok, Thanks for all of your help. I have now found a breaker panel, complete set of cleats, and a complete set of lifelines. Opps, in addition I also bought a complete Macgregor 25 in need of the front cabin being recored..... This boat first though..... How do you keep your wife happy when this happens?

 

[Douglast]

How do you keep your wife happy when this happens?

the answer is all in a little blue pill...lol..

 

[EdCM26]

Mark
Might want to check out this forum, bunch of us CM owners there. Hope it's ok I post a link to another forum.
http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/clipper/index.cgi