Is your boat a finely assembled, original manufactured piece of art work?

[lehighsail]

[So what is you have Lewmar / Harkin / Schaefer parts on your boat. The builder just bought good parts that came from the lowest bidder/supplier. They added just enough name brands to be able to up charge their customers when selling the boat.] JSSAILEM

Both Wally Schirra and Alan Shepard are credited with the following quote:
When asked what they were thinking when they were inside their Mercury spacecraft sitting atop a live booster waiting to launch, their answer was: "This was put together by the lowest bidder."

 

[jon hansen]

That makes perfect sense.
After all you sail and Alden 50.

Alden Yachts is a renowned top of the line yacht builder since 1909, known for rugged construction, superior joinery, high quality equipment and speed.​

john alden was a designer, never built a boat. his design house started in 1909. he never owned a yard.

 

[Head Sail]

No. 2. The artwork for most boats is in the cabinetry, and to some lesser extent, the fiberglass. Electrical components, fuel, exhaust and rigging are all just tools to keep the artwork afloat.

 

[sail sfbay]

How do you look at your boat and what do you consider when something goes amiss?

1. Is your boat a pristine assemblage of only Original Manufactured parts? Generally, purchase OEM parts, except for sails, running rigging, safety and navigation equipment, which are upgraded when replaced.
2. Or is your boat an assemblage of quality parts........Powerboat can be a montage since many OEM parts, such as portlights, are obsolete.

 

[mikeracca]

So my boat is a total mess, and right now I don’t know what’s what with everything. So I’m of the mind that if I can make OEM back to new looking I will, but if I can find new that looks and functions good for a good price I will use it. I’m not picky, and I usually choose function over form in most cases.

 

[Crusty Ol Salt]

As the new guy on the block, I find the conversation very interesting.

The previous owner had mad skills when it came to the maintenance, upkeep and cleanliness of Prometheus. Emphasis on "mad".

Little things I noticed during the process and the survey have lead me to the issues so bad that I will not idle the boat away from the pier.

I wondered why he jump started the engine this turned into the battery charger is shot.
I wondered why shore power wasn't always plugged in this turned into the receptacle on the boat was a wreck. Replaced.
After the fire extinguisher noticed I looked at the on he had onboard. Dated 1994. Ranks up there with 20 expired flares too.
VHF radio had coaxial to the back, durned if I can find the antenna. Handheld onboard. New galley unit on order. I may still need an antenna.

On the other hand, I am an OEM or better kind of guy. Sometimes better is just the fact that what was installed in '96 is obsolete which lead me to replace incandescent lighting with LED. In the case of electronics how can you not upgrade, everything is light years ahead of were it was 25 years ago.

There are things that I am looking forward to rebuilding. For example winches. I have leward winches they make an overhaul kit why not rebuild it once. If the performance does not improve then I will budget a replacement.

Once it get her safe and mechanically sound, then I will start with the spit shine and polish.

Great topic and conversation

Thx

 

[Calif. Ted]

For example winches. I have leward winches they make an overhaul kit why not rebuild it once.

I keep an overhaul kit on board but the only part I've ever had to replace was a pawl spring long ago, toughest part of rebuilding a lewmar winch is getting all the 20 year old hardened grease off. I usually soak parts overnight in a solvent before attacking with stiff bristle parts brushes.

 

[jssailem]

Ted. I have found diesel or kerosene works well as a solvent for aged grease on winches.

 

[mikeracca]

Ted. I have found diesel or kerosene works well as a solvent for aged grease on winches.

i have found also that the Berrymans Carb and Choke cleaner also works really well. It dries fast and doesn’t leave a residue. That’s what I used to clean Lilly’s winches that were pure neutrals. Today, they work great.

 

[Daveinet]

My boat doesn't break...

 

[Scott T-Bird]

I've only just started to modify our Catalina 320 ... in the process of replacing engine parts, I've had to bump out the engine cover at least 3/4" (very minor mod). I modified our Starwind 27 so much that many might not even recognize it (hardly anybody knows this Jim Taylor design anyway).

The black paint on the spars was deteriorated and I preferred white, so I painted the spars white. Same for the binnacle, which was black, and I painted it burgundy. I changed out all of the black plastic-framed lights and hatch on the boat with custom aluminum-framed lights and hatch. I increased the size of the ventilated lights in the head and vanity and added an additional pair of ventilated lights in the v-berth. I changed the 1 cylinder engine to a 2 cylinder engine and had to modify the engine compartment for 2" additional length. The entire exhaust system was upgraded and a new aluminum fuel tank was installed.

I removed the galley sink and put in one that was slightly larger. I added pressure water and a water heater. I removed the aluminum water tank and installed a stainless steel tank (increased the size slightly). I upgraded everything in the electrical panel and added electrical fixtures. I built new cabinets for the upgrades. I replaced everything for the toilet and plumbing (except the holding tank). I added equipment and rigging for a sym spinnaker and added roller furling. I improved the traveler track and system. I replaced all rigging at least once and added backstay adjustment blocks. I only replaced sails once in the beginning. Modern chartplotter and electronic navigation equipment were added to the original instruments that could be restored.

I restored the bottom entirely, starting from scratch with new barrier paint. I never did get to repairing the soft spots on the side decks. I did grow a little weary in the end from polishing and waxing the topsides every year.

After 15 years of ownership and about $40 K in improvements, I finally sold the boat for about $2,500 more than my original purchase price ... The boat was still recognizable as a Starwind 27, I think, only it was the most thoroughly up-graded Starwind there ever was.

 

[BigEasy]

Ted. I have found diesel or kerosene works well as a solvent for aged grease on winches.

Mineral spirits and a stiff parts brush works well also.

 

[Tally Ho]

I haven’t really made any major modifications, but many “upgrades” or maintenance items…

New Mack Pack
New main sail and Strong Track
New “drive-train” (prop shaft, coupling, strut bearing, Volvo shaft seal)
New VHF radio and N2K backbone to connect AIS and GPS with CP

Rebuilt A/P gearbox
Replaced all above-the-waterline thru hulls
Replaced sink drain hoses, rebed thru hull
Rebuilt slider hatch
Refinished companionway doors
Removed water tanks, added clean outs, painted under tanks
Replaced toilet discharge hoses
Rebuilt comms panel at Nav station

I am finishing up a project of upgrading Primary winches to Barlow 27’s and moving the old primaries ( Barlow 18’s 2-speed ST) to the cabin top.

I would not say that I am a purist when it comes to maintaining my boat (no work of art to be sure), but if I can keep her in good working condition, I am happy.


Greg

 

[jviss]

Mineral spirits and a stiff parts brush works well also.

I just use a chip brush, i.e., one of those cheap ($1) natural bristle brushes you can get at the homeowner store. Let the solvent do the work.