After returning from the Mexico race, it was very apparent that Midnight Sun needs another major refit, or needs to be retired from ocean racing. Having gotten the crap kicked out of us, the boat was showing her age. Most of the hatches and ports were badly leaking and Lewmar no longer supports the ports I have. I installed them twenty years ago, and they started failing five years ago. The rivets that were used to secure the locking mechanism started dissolving and were replaced with ss screws. This helped for a while. The hinges on the hatches were glued on (I think) and let go. The AC quit. The refer quit. We destroyed $12000.00 worth of kevlar headsails. (Yes I know its not the boat getting old doing that)
So you contemplate buying a newer boat, retiring something you have had more fun with than any of your wives, or putting $30000.00 plus in a boat worth about that. For the second time, I might add. I also just overhauled the engine.
The decision I reached probably makes little sense, but I ordered new sails, new AC, new refer, and new Hood SS hatches and ports. We will be back, but not for a few months.
So you contemplate buying a newer boat, retiring something you have had more fun with than any of your wives, or putting $30000.00 plus in a boat worth about that. For the second time, I might add. I also just overhauled the engine.
The decision I reached probably makes little sense, but I ordered new sails, new AC, new refer, and new Hood SS hatches and ports. We will be back, but not for a few months.