My girl and I have been talking about learning how to sail and the other night she was looking over Craigslist and dreaming about boats. She then looked on the free section and saw a listing for a MacGregor with a trailer so we went and picked it up.
The guy said it had been sitting in his field since 1981. I really seemed to be in bad shape from the looks and smell of the thing but she wanted it so we dragged it home. I wish I had more before pictures but I didn't think to take many. Here's a couple to give you an idea.
but with a pressure washer and a lot of elbow grease, I got her clean.
well, pretty clean...
so after all that cleaning, I found a few area's that need some attention. Mostly Stress cracks or spider cracks.
this last one is little pin holes
Right now I'm trying to figure how far I want to get into this boat. I've read that it is a great little boat to learn on and many people have a true love for them. I see this boat as a stepping point for a slightly bigger boat, Something I could spend a week or two at a time on (that is assuming that I enjoy sailing)
I'm no stranger to fiberglass work and have to fear of getting my hands dirty, even doing things I've never done before. But if those little cracks aren't detrimental to the boat in the short term, I think I might just like to get it in the water and learn a thing or two sailing, then maybe, patch up those cracks.
I will need to replace a few things first, like the keel crank is rusted solid. and I think I'd like to look at the keel cable as well. All of the wood needs replacing and I'll need an out board.
But I would like your opinions first. Should I fix her up real pretty or just use her like the old boat she is?
Thanks,
Joel
The guy said it had been sitting in his field since 1981. I really seemed to be in bad shape from the looks and smell of the thing but she wanted it so we dragged it home. I wish I had more before pictures but I didn't think to take many. Here's a couple to give you an idea.
but with a pressure washer and a lot of elbow grease, I got her clean.
well, pretty clean...
so after all that cleaning, I found a few area's that need some attention. Mostly Stress cracks or spider cracks.
this last one is little pin holes
Right now I'm trying to figure how far I want to get into this boat. I've read that it is a great little boat to learn on and many people have a true love for them. I see this boat as a stepping point for a slightly bigger boat, Something I could spend a week or two at a time on (that is assuming that I enjoy sailing)
I'm no stranger to fiberglass work and have to fear of getting my hands dirty, even doing things I've never done before. But if those little cracks aren't detrimental to the boat in the short term, I think I might just like to get it in the water and learn a thing or two sailing, then maybe, patch up those cracks.
I will need to replace a few things first, like the keel crank is rusted solid. and I think I'd like to look at the keel cable as well. All of the wood needs replacing and I'll need an out board.
But I would like your opinions first. Should I fix her up real pretty or just use her like the old boat she is?
Thanks,
Joel