Morgan 323 Rebuild

Sep 14, 2018
25
Morgan 323 TN
I have used the terms interchangeably too. And always used zincs even in fresh water. But now I know that Magnesium works best in my waters (and aluminum is OK), that is what I use and try to be specific that they are anodes and not necessarily “zinc”.

Keep working on the boat, as you said, you will get there.

Do you have any boat friends to lean on? Or handy friends who would like to learn about working on boats? That could shorten the refit time substantially.

If you stick with it, you will learn a ton, and know your boat very well.

Prioritize the issues and that can help you figure out what needs to be done before you can start sailing…then work on the less serious stuff as time permits (while you can still get a sail or 2 in each week). If you can’t make it fun, you won’t stick with it.

I am jealous that you can keep the boat in the water all winter. I had to pull Tally Ho out a few weeks ago…and she is winterized and covered for the winter. I did go out this week and remove the prop so I can measure for a new Max Prop feathering prop.

Always something to tinker with on a Good Old Boat :beer:

Greg
Thanks! We haven't had a good winter here in ages. Keeping her in the water all winter is nice. But trying to get work done in the cold isn't. lol. I've got a running list of fiberglass projects that will likely have to wait until spring.

I am pretty handy, just don't know a lot about boats. And I tend to get stuck in a loop of trying to figure out the best way to do things.
"Better is the enemy of good enough". I've been trying to hang out with the sailing club more, life tends to happen.

I set the new years deadline for myself before the car broke down. I had hoped to spend two days a week for the last two months working on the boat. But with the car out of commission that hasn't been possible. I've got her fixed up, just need to get new tires (hopefully) this week. I'm not going to rush the boat, but I feel like keeping my soft deadline is important.
 
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Sep 14, 2018
25
Morgan 323 TN
Fuel Tank Compartment (Circa 2020)

Before reinstalling the shiny refurbished tank I needed to take care of the old compartment. There were a few minor issues with it.
1. The wood the tank rests on was unsealed.
2. There was a crack along the bottom that allowed bilge water into the compartment when the boat heels.
3. I was not happy with how the tank was secured.

First I gave the compartment a good clean. Then I sealed all bare wood surfaces with epoxy. I ground back the bad/de-laminating fiberglass where the crack was and laid down some new glass. Then I prepped the compartment for paint. I used an epoxy bilge paint so any future leaks will be obvious and easier to clean. I still haven't decided how I want to secure the tank down. It was originally just held by the lid of the settee. I may add some hold down straps.

The tank was just resting on bare the bare wood, which is now sealed. However I know that corrosion is likely to happen anywhere that moisture gets trapped against the aluminum. From what I could find best-practice is that anything touching the tank needs to be resistant to fuel, non-absorbent, and adhered to the tank. I decided to adhere some rubber strips to the tank for it to rest on. When I ordered the gasket material, I ordered some extra for the purpose. The strips are angled so that any condensation formed on the tank can drain between them into the bottom of the compartment. The tank is only sitting ~1/8th" higher than before so it still fits under the settee.

125086394_10224136618060359_4568715349386195753_n.jpg 143859434_10224764809764759_4673077369971473495_n.jpg 231072252_10226141018329113_2990914543222301936_n.jpg 231231459_10226141018929128_1304212244372613205_n.jpg

Now I still have one issue to address before I finish the plumbing for the tank. I sealed the crack that was allowing bilge water into the compartment. However that means the compartment is sealed from the bilge. This is good because any leaks that develop won't enter the bilge. But I'm concerned that the tank will form condensation that will build up in the bottom of the compartment and cause corrosion.

They way I see it I have two options. Drill a hole into the bilge, or figure out a way to plumb/pump the condensation out...
Thoughts and opinions appreciated.
 
Aug 4, 2024
5
Morgan 32 Chesapeake Bay
Bits, Sorry for your loss. I am new (today) to this forum and will take ownership of a broken down 1980 Morgan 32 on the 12th of this month.
My GF retired in April. I am considering early retirement. The boat is about 90 minutes from my house but is at a Marina with year-round slips that allows live aboard (Chesapeake Bay).

The boat is in the water, floating on its own. The diesel engine runs and goes into forward and reverse as it should. The sails are in good shape (as they have been stored for a bit) but I will be replacing all running rigging. The interior is a hot mess with damage to one of the bulkheads (slight water damage, major knucklehead repair work).

The plan is to retrofit the cabin for just the two of us. Expanding the Head, improving storage and sleeping for the two of us in the main salon. Quarter Birth(s) will be reworked for storage and refrigeration. Goal is to commute weekly to Balt. to do major repairs and interior updates, then move on board (just me) in September. My GF is buying a house in the Myrtle Beach area, so I plan to dock her (boat) locally by December. We hope to have her ready to go to the Keys by January and off to Bahamas from there. Maybe a little aggressive timeline, but living on her 24x7 should help.

Wish us luck!
 
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dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,398
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
Bits, Sorry for your loss. I am new (today) to this forum and will take ownership of a broken down 1980 Morgan 32 on the 12th of this month.
My GF retired in April. I am considering early retirement. The boat is about 90 minutes from my house but is at a Marina with year-round slips that allows live aboard (Chesapeake Bay).

The boat is in the water, floating on its own. The diesel engine runs and goes into forward and reverse as it should. The sails are in good shape (as they have been stored for a bit) but I will be replacing all running rigging. The interior is a hot mess with damage to one of the bulkheads (slight water damage, major knucklehead repair work).

The plan is to retrofit the cabin for just the two of us. Expanding the Head, improving storage and sleeping for the two of us in the main salon. Quarter Birth(s) will be reworked for storage and refrigeration. Goal is to commute weekly to Balt. to do major repairs and interior updates, then move on board (just me) in September. My GF is buying a house in the Myrtle Beach area, so I plan to dock her (boat) locally by December. We hope to have her ready to go to the Keys by January and off to Bahamas from there. Maybe a little aggressive timeline, but living on her 24x7 should help.

Wish us luck!
That's the first year they built that boat. Where are you on the Chesapeake? I also keep my boat there.

You mention changing the running rigging - when was the standing rigging replaced? ON a boat that age, that would be one of the first tings I'd be carefully looking at. Also, are you able to inspect the chain plates?

How do you envision getting to the Keys? Off shore? ICW?

Best of luck to you.

dj
 
Oct 19, 2017
7,976
O'Day Mariner 19 Littleton, NH
Welcome to the forum, Marty.

Expanding the Head
How much time have you spent with bluewater sailing? It sounds like you have plans to spend a considerable amount of time on the high seas at some point. There are a couple of reasons boat heads trend towards tiny. Space, as is obvious, is at a premium, but that is not the only reason to keep your head, or your gallery for that matter, tight and confining. No one wants to be dumped off the head from a large wave or sudden gust at the wrong moment. Just as you don't want to have too much room to get cast about in a galley while trying to heat up coffee before your watch.

Just something to think about when remodeling the head.

-Will
 
Aug 4, 2024
5
Morgan 32 Chesapeake Bay
That's the first year they built that boat. Where are you on the Chesapeake? I also keep my boat there.

You mention changing the running rigging - when was the standing rigging replaced? ON a boat that age, that would be one of the first tings I'd be carefully looking at. Also, are you able to inspect the chain plates?

How do you envision getting to the Keys? Off shore? ICW?

Best of luck to you.

dj
DJ, the boat is ond Middle River Landing Marina. Essex?

The standing rigging looks serviceable. No corrosion, no rust, no cracks or loose strands (tensions seem ok/consistent). The chainplates are OK, from what I can see. However, one of them is leaking (note rotted bulkhead), So one must assume that the remaining 5 are similar. The interior is rough, which is why I was looking for something like this. If I have to dig in deeper, I no longer have to worry about matching the 44-year-old interior and finishes.

I plan on cutting back the exposed intermediate bulkheads to open up the space wherever possible. Even if I do not gain any room, visually it will open up the Salon to give the impression of being bigger than it is. I will sand, finish and paint much of the wood (bulkheads) to brighten up the dungeon like interior, as well.

Regarding getting to keys...

I'm going to keep her and sail her around the Chesapeake as often as possible up until we settle on a place in NC, SC or south. Being we are both retired and (kind of) between houses, we plan on numerous multi-day excursions through the bay. This will improve our skills while we learn what works and what doesn't with trip and boat prepping.

Once we do head south, I plan on keeping to the ICW. I want to go through the Dismal Swamp, simply so I can tell everyone that I sailed through the "Dismal Swamp" (sounds like a Harry Potter location).

We are considering Murrells Inlet for our home. Docking her there, we can head offshore a few times to gain the experience. We may not make it to the Keys in Spring, but, being we are both 64+ i plan sooner than later. Have too many friends and relatives that never made it "to later".
 
Aug 4, 2024
5
Morgan 32 Chesapeake Bay
What has anyone done for air conditioning and/or head while under way?

Tractor Trailers have 12V Air conditioners for the sleeper boxes. My son drives over the road. He claims that his double sleeper gets fridged even on the hottest of days.

I know there are Diesel and Propane heaters that you can mount to a bulkhead and vent through the cabin roof. I have also seen people use tiny wood burning stoves, though I feel these are not that safe while underway.


I would like to know your experiences pros/cons
 

dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,398
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
DJ, the boat is ond Middle River Landing Marina. Essex?

The standing rigging looks serviceable. No corrosion, no rust, no cracks or loose strands (tensions seem ok/consistent). The chainplates are OK, from what I can see. However, one of them is leaking (note rotted bulkhead), So one must assume that the remaining 5 are similar. The interior is rough, which is why I was looking for something like this. If I have to dig in deeper, I no longer have to worry about matching the 44-year-old interior and finishes.

I plan on cutting back the exposed intermediate bulkheads to open up the space wherever possible. Even if I do not gain any room, visually it will open up the Salon to give the impression of being bigger than it is. I will sand, finish and paint much of the wood (bulkheads) to brighten up the dungeon like interior, as well.

Regarding getting to keys...

I'm going to keep her and sail her around the Chesapeake as often as possible up until we settle on a place in NC, SC or south. Being we are both retired and (kind of) between houses, we plan on numerous multi-day excursions through the bay. This will improve our skills while we learn what works and what doesn't with trip and boat prepping.

Once we do head south, I plan on keeping to the ICW. I want to go through the Dismal Swamp, simply so I can tell everyone that I sailed through the "Dismal Swamp" (sounds like a Harry Potter location).

We are considering Murrells Inlet for our home. Docking her there, we can head offshore a few times to gain the experience. We may not make it to the Keys in Spring, but, being we are both 64+ i plan sooner than later. Have too many friends and relatives that never made it "to later".
You are just North of me. I'm on Gibson Island. Might be fun to take a look at your boat if you are around. I should be down there next week.

Shoot me a PM if you'd like.

dj
 
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Jan 7, 2011
5,557
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
What has anyone done for air conditioning and/or head while under way?

Tractor Trailers have 12V Air conditioners for the sleeper boxes. My son drives over the road. He claims that his double sleeper gets fridged even on the hottest of days.
Is he in a parking lot with the diesel running or running the AC off the trucks batteries?

I have often wondered about this…but I assume the trucks are running and driving the AC.

Let us know!

Greg
 
Aug 4, 2024
5
Morgan 32 Chesapeake Bay
Greg,

No, most companies (trucks) will only idle for 5-10 minutes when parked. They will shut down automatically. The Air Conditioners in the sleepers run off of the batteries alone.

My son says they work pretty well.
 
Jan 7, 2011
5,557
Oday 322 East Chicago, IN
Greg,

No, most companies (trucks) will only idle for 5-10 minutes when parked. They will shut down automatically. The Air Conditioners in the sleepers run off of the batteries alone.

My son says they work pretty well.
Interesting. I wonder if the size of the sleeper is the key…a lot more space to cool on a boat.

Greg
 
Jan 11, 2014
12,908
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
Interesting. I wonder if the size of the sleeper is the key…a lot more space to cool on a boat.

Greg
I have hydronic heating on my boat. The unit was initially designed to heat sleeping space on a truck and to preheat the engine. It is a tiny little guy. So you might be on to something. How big is the sleeping cab? Maybe 8' x 8' x 6' that's a pretty small volume.
 
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Jan 19, 2010
1,290
Catalina 34 Casco Bay
Greg,

No, most companies (trucks) will only idle for 5-10 minutes when parked. They will shut down automatically. The Air Conditioners in the sleepers run off of the batteries alone.

My son says they work pretty well.
An idling diesel can be a bit rough. Adding on some RPMs smooths out the engine. This also cancels the auto shut down....
 
Aug 4, 2024
5
Morgan 32 Chesapeake Bay
I have hydronic heating on my boat. The unit was initially designed to heat sleeping space on a truck and to preheat the engine. It is a tiny little guy. So you might be on to something. How big is the sleeping cab? Maybe 8' x 8' x 6' that's a pretty small volume.
The Morgan 32 does not have that much space. Yeah, sure, more that a sleeper cab. However, there is a small truck (big diesel) scrap yard about mile from my house. If I could source 2 there for pennies, it may work out!