New S2 Owner

StanFM

StanFM

.
Jun 26, 2012
276
S2 7.3 Lake Pleasant, AZ
Just purchased a 1982 S2 7.3 and am starting on the many projects required for an older boat. Had to replace all 4 bunks on the trailer immediately-- one literally fell off in my hand taking it off as the bolts had rusted clean through.
Tiller was splitting apart, and all exterior wood is weathered and dried out. A test sail revealed that she sails beautifully-- even with older sails! I was standing up in the cockpit during wind gusts! Quite a change from my Catalina 22. The S2 launches and docks well... a little heavier pull on the dock lines is required when walking her around the dock. Seems to point and turn smoothly and quickly. I was smitten when I saw her in the back lot at the marina, and then when I read up on the S2's I fell totally in love. I'll try and post some pics.

Stan
 

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StanFM

StanFM

.
Jun 26, 2012
276
S2 7.3 Lake Pleasant, AZ
Great link! The S2's are not very numerous out here in the west. I had never even heard of them before seeing this one.
 
StanFM

StanFM

.
Jun 26, 2012
276
S2 7.3 Lake Pleasant, AZ
First Project...

...was replacing the bunks on the trailer. Next, on to some bright work. I didn't think I could save the tiller, as it was super dried out and the laminates were splitting apart with a chuck of wood missing back where it bolts on. But I figured I couldn't make it any worse, so took a scraper and hammer and separated all the layers...
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Then I put some Titebond III everywhere in the tiller sandwich-- what a mess-- and clamped everything together...
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Yuck... and a real oozing mess all over the workbench...
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Finally some sanding...
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And the first few coats of varnish. Here it is sitting on the hatch boards I'm finishing...
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Fingers crossed.
Stan
 
StanFM

StanFM

.
Jun 26, 2012
276
S2 7.3 Lake Pleasant, AZ
My boat is on the hard about an hour from the house, so trying to remember which tools/supplies I'll be needing is a chore. You get all the way out there and forget the one main thing you were supposed to bring! But, that never happens to you, right?

Got the hatch boards back on and the first couple coats on the two frame pieces. The screws were quite proud on the frame, so I counter-sunk them in a bit.
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Most of the long day was dedicated to crawling around on hands and knees. To say the girls hated the carpeting on the floor would be an understatement. I must admit, it doesn't make a lot of sense for bathrooms and boat floors where wet and spills can accumulate. The carpet-- looks like standard indoor/outdoor stuff-- was really bonded in there! After pricing the standard teak & holly (including vinyl) I decided that was too rich for my blood (er wallet). So I found an alternative at Lowe's. They were selling engineered flooring that had a synthetic backing-- no wood products, so it is waterproof.
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Instead of tearing out the carpet and putting down padding, I laid the flooring right on top of the carpet. The floor is not exactly flat everywhere, so I had to build it up in a couple spots. You cut this flooring with a utility knife and straight edge by scoring your cut on the top, then bending the piece dramatically and it will break almost apart. Then you trim it in two with the knife. Lots of cuts and trimming. Did I mention there were LOTS of cuts and MUCH trimming to do?!? And very few straight cuts.
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Might as well hit the head area, too.

This the view of the desert from the cockpit looking aft where my boat is parked...
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A little song bird perched on the backstay of an old and neglected boat next to me kept me company for much of the afternoon. Finally, just as my light was fading, I reattached the tiller, and headed for home.
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Stan
 
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