O'day 39 project boat

[Panta Rei]

In the water

Well , it's over.

Refurb is complete since I'm now doing what other boats owners are. Dreaming up the next gizmo to add or working on the repair list.

The last day:

Installed the windex backwards since we rigged the mast forward side down and never seemed the grasp it. We noticed it after the mast was stepped . Nice that the crane had a bucket.

Lifted the mast all the way up just to realize that it was facing the the wrong direction for the same reason.

Launched a 5'6" draft boat in 5' 6" of water with keel plates under it. Passed the simulated grounding test. (didn't really have this planned)

Forgot to place the speed transducer in the thru-hull. A real gusher!! and hart stopper.

forward head and seawater pump plugged. (likely wasps taking up home there) No one is using the head until next spring anyway.

I test ran the engine and then installed sound deadining material to the compartment walls. This work caused
- no power to the engine controls.
- wire loose and missing to the starter solenoid
- ground missing on fuel pump
- output hose on fuel pump leaking
- low water flow out of the exhaust

I expected at least some of this. It just took a few minutes to jump everything to get it started (is a diesel after all)and scooted over to the slip before things could warm up.

no leaks,
engine controls are a snap.
I bet I hooked something up wrong in the coolant system or the extra heat exchanger the previous owner gave me is plugged (par for course)

just got the canvas up when the sun popped out of the clouds just before sunset. I stopped work and took this photo.

 

[cb32863]

Wow, that is nice. Nice to have her in the water. No fix that stuff and go sail!

She looks really good.

 

[Panta Rei]

The end!!

OK this is the end. Time to go sailing or for me a few sea trials and back on land for the winter with a list of chores for the marina and my checkbook to take care of. I'm no longer in project mode.

I'll rewire the engine and unclog the strainer this weekend.

Time to look back and learn something from all of this.

The boat:
In my opinion , it's a great two couple or family boat. Also good for a crew of guys or gals since it will sleep 4 singles in spacious separate cabins. (not a liveaboard unless you want to sleep in separate beds) My wife and I fit in the v-birth very well but she is rather short (I should use the word petite or I'll be sleeping in the cockpit with the dog.)
The price dropped to the twenties in the 08 drop. It's well above that now and will likely not see that again for some time. Workmanship of is very good. All woodwork on the inside is fit very tightly. Much of the interior is solid teak bulkheads are teak plywood. The fiberglass head vanities hold up better than anything. Look great at 30 years.
My boat had no blisters even after 30 years in warm salt water. The coat tar epoxy may have something to do with it.
I'd buy this boat again in a minute. The boats lines are great and timeless. The sailboat industry has finally figured out planned obsolescence. Manufacturers are making the changes more dramatic and changing them more often. Therefore I predict that this boat will be clumped in with the boats from the 90 and early 2000. They all look very similar and all will look alike and be priced alike in a few years. IMO

What I did right.

I did not touch the boat for a year. This was due to my daughters wedding but it gave me a chance to put a plan together. I would suggest you sail a project boat for a summer regardless of what shape it is in. Get a feel for what's needed.

I opened up the interior and maximized the amount of wood showing. This made a huge difference. 1980 boats were intended be be occupied below when the boat was being sailed. New boats interiors are designed to be used while in the marina.

Polyglow. I did very little gelcoat work. I filled a few dings and cracks and a small section of cored decking. That's easy to do. The work Joe (twenty five years later) did is very difficult and hard work. Joe is well suited for it and I hope he continues his full restoration approach. That's not for most boat owners.

Paint the non-skid if you have take it up to get at rot. Try everything to avoid taking up smooth gelcoat. Smooth gelcoat is better cleaned up and polyglowed. Applying polyglow is easier than waxing. I'll likely strip my boat next spring now and reapply since I was in such a rush and I now have a better feel for the application technique.

Led interior lights. A no-brainer

I used google shopping and got the best price on the internet for nearly every purchased item. I had no loyalty often dealing with unknown stores each time. I was never burned. Great service from all. The only exception was Leward. They are hopeless.

Don't buy electronics until you get on the water. Just changes too fast.

Move the boat close to home or like Joe to your home. Mine was 1/2 mile away.

Find others with the same boat. I found an owner with a boat one number less than mine. They were built at the same time. Great resource.

Now what I did wrong.

Plug every thru-hull from the outside to keep the wasps out. This plugged my forward head intake , seawater galley pump and likely my raw water engine intake. This last year I put myself in danger with nests everywhere and me wedging myself into small paces to get at things.

We blasted the boat while the tarp was covering it. The tarp redirected the paint and the hatches were open. Took me three months to get 99% of it. I will never get it all.

Survey, I paid for a survey that was worthless. Make them prove what they can do for you.


Don't put yourself into a bind. I planed this renaming party when I though I could complete everything well before the renaming. A few rainy days and I was behind the 8 ball.

This forced me to have friends help painting and got a good paint job, nothing like I could have done on my own. The last week I just got things done . Many may need to be done again someday.

The pending winter also put pressure on me since I wanted to test out the engine transmission in the fall just in case major work was needed.

There is likely much more but i'm thinking of heading to the boat for the weekend. I'll watch this thread and reply to comment but for now. Thanks all for the comments and the help. See you on the water on my way to the Bahamas.

 

[captain cotton]

The past week was hell... too much to do too little time.
Rain prevented the last coat of paint on the non-skid so I did not re-install the bow rail and life lines.
Interior complete and decorated for the event. Winston Churchill showed up to perform the renaming ceremony chauffeured by our City council president (our towns version of a mayor)
Randy Otto (playing Winston Churchill) stole the show as usual. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CB4QtwIwAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D1-84U7exAeI&ei=E3tUULmvA8TL2QXSnIGQCw&usg=AFQjCNEkTV2fLEH_YotE29EgjgJeK3kgBA watch the whole video , he goes into character at the end.

Most had never been in a sailboat of this size before. They were amazed. Others had been in the boat when I had it torn apart. They could not believe it was the same boat.

We toasted many, including a toast to all of you. A great source of inspiration, a sounding board , and help with problems.

More later. Maybe a video of the event.

Wow what a great job best of luck and fair winds my friend just starting an O'Day 322 project

 

[Peter Brennan]

Beautiful! Superb! And you want to take on another one?

 

[Panta Rei]

Beautiful! Superb! And you want to take on another one?

No..my refurb days are over

 

[Panta Rei]

Signing off

I'll be around following other threads but this project is behind me. I'm looking for a place to post our plans and progress for our trip out to the sea and beyond. Suggestions welcomed.

Thanks all for the comments, ideas, and encouragement.

I'm going back to work for the winter but it's clear that I'm heading for retirement or at the least getting out of my sons way. My son has doing a great job running the company while I was wrapped up in this project.

You can always reach me at: http://www.tslgraphics.com/

 

[cb32863]

Blog on Blogspot? That's where I keep my little blog of 6 followers......

 

[Panta Rei]

Milwaukee to Fresh Creek Bahamas

Joe, sent me a message asking for my trip plans. I knew I forgot something. I could get a guide for the great loop but I'm thinking there are plenty of sailors along the way that can help out.
Seeing Joe and Yot is certainly on the agenda and Fresh creek is my goal. The rest is a blank chart. Please visit http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=146830 and put in your two cents and let me know if I can meet up with you along the way.

 

[25yearslater]

Let me know if you decide on the Erie Canal or Welland Canal if you choose the southerly route. I could take a few days off and crew for you and of course I can provide transportation here in western NY if you need.

 

[Panta Rei]

Let me know if you decide on the Erie Canal or Welland Canal if you choose the southerly route. I could take a few days off and crew for you and of course I can provide transportation here in western NY if you need.

I'll be stopping by for a sail on YOT!!!
Thanks for the offer for transportation. We will Likely leave the boat nearby for the winter.