I have come into a 1970 Venture 21. My son left it here when he went gallavanting off across the country, where he's ended up at Galmukoff Marine (http://www.galmukoffmarine.com/info.html) in Port Townsend, Washington, working on boats. This is, for all intents and purposes, my first experience with a sailboat. For three months it sat under my garage, largely because I didn't know how to put up the mast. I reckon that my not knowing how to sail it also played a part. It finally occurred to me to haul it to a marina, where it sits on its trailer, mast up, and ready to go into the water. I took the ASA Basic Keelboat Sailing 101 class under Captain Buddy Price out of Big Water Marina (http://www.bigwatermarina.com/) on Lake Hartwell in Northeast Georgia and Western South Carolina. Before I took the class, and after having been studying the books, my wife and I took her out one time. It took us a while that day to figure things out, and there wasn't much of a wind, but we actually pretty much got it all mostly right (as I later learned how to do things in the sailing class.) Now, having successfully taken the class, I like to say I'm Bona fide! Oh, I know I have tons yet to learn, but I do know enough to take her out and run her around the lake when it's not too windy. Now, I've been reading what I could get my hands on, watching videos, and getting acquainted with a little of the stunning amount of information available online. I can't hardly get to sleep at night for thinking about her and what all we could do. My wonderful wife is also very excited about the opportunities the boat presents for us. I dreamed about sailing all night last night. I swear this is like falling in love. I was originally thinking that I'd just do a little to improve this boat, then, thinking a bigger boat would provide more comfort, and have greater room for entertaining, go for a 25 or 26 footer. But, now, having read stuff on the 'net about microcruising, plus considering that smaller boats tend to have smaller problems, and the fact that all of my automobiles can pull this boat, I am not altogether sure I'd want a larger boat. In any event, there's plenty of time to consider that question, and, I rather expect contemplating that question will be, itself, a pleasure. The boat's in pretty good shape structurally, but there are things that need attention. I am a canoe camper (http://www.rivertripper.com), and am thrilled about the greater horizons that sailing cruising/camping would provide (It would pretty near be suicide to even try to cross St. Andrew's Sound between Jekyll and Little Cumberland Islands in my canoe - much less sail to the Bahamas!), so there are lots of things I want to fix up about the boat to make it not only easier for one person to sail, but to make it liveable. My first improvements were to replace the mainsheet with a 5/16" line, which fit the blocks much better than the half inch rope that the previous owner had been using. Plus, I bought a small block and cleat to make an outhaul where there wasn't one. I'll take my time and do a little here and there. Just having made her aquaintance, I'm not quite ready to tackle a project that would put her out of commission for an extended period of time, if you know what I mean. So, I come here seeking information. The rubrail has completely rotted off. I think it was a 3/4" x 1" piece of mahogany. Where might I find a replacement? Plus, I would also need, probably 3/8" mahogany dowel from which to cut plugs for the screw holes. Or, on the other hand, would I be better off with a rubber-in-aluminum rubrail? I tend more toward the wood purely for the asthetics. Speaking of the rubrail, and, since it is gone (my son, J.D. took out and saved all the stainless steel screws that had held the rubrail on), you can clearly see how the deck of the boat was joined to the hull - there are lots and lots of screws holding the two together. I dont' know enough now to figure what the benefit would be to separate the top and bottom with regard to working on the hull, but I can easily see how easy it would make adding and re-inforcing cleats, padeyes, and whatever other modification I'd choose to make - particularly on the aft section where one would need to squeeze beneath the cockpit to get to what places you could. You sure couldn't get to all of them. But, separating the two halves of the boat is definitely something I do not want to undertake at this point. (See my point above: I just met her. I want to be with her on the water - not sitting in some chair beside her lifeless self in my garage.) I would be so grateful if someone here would be so kind as to recommend where I might look for a bow pulpit for her. The tiller needs refinishing. Most of the old varnish is gone. What's your favorite finish for a tiller? She could use a good paint job. I'll just have to study on that, too. It had been left parked out under pine trees for some time before we bought her. J.D. did a good job cleaning it. (http://www.rivertripper.com/other/Forenaft.jpg) I also welcome any suggestions from the group here, like, good books, magazines or other publications, groups to join, etc. Like I said, I'm brand new at this. I am glad that I have such a fondness for learning. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Joel
Pulpits and other matters
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Joel, you said it just right.....
...it's like falling in love all over again!! ;D You will find a wealth of info on this forum. If I could recommend to you, take a look at Don Guillette's book 'Sail Trim' available in the Chandlery. It's well worth every penny. Good Luck sailing, it's a blast that NEVER ends.
...it's like falling in love all over again!! ;D You will find a wealth of info on this forum. If I could recommend to you, take a look at Don Guillette's book 'Sail Trim' available in the Chandlery. It's well worth every penny. Good Luck sailing, it's a blast that NEVER ends.
Rub rails an deck joints....
The deck is not intended to be separated from the hull. Besides the screws there will have been a very strong adhesive, hopefully epoxy, to bond the two together. Higher end boats laminate the deck and hull with fiberglass. Don't even try to separate the two. In fact, I recommend you purchase a few tubes of 3M 5200 and caulk the seam from both sides to insure a strong and watertight bond. Since the rub rail is off, now is a good time to do this. Regarding the rub rail, I would not try to replace it with wood. You can purchase aluminum, rubber rub rail kits from any chandlery... start with west marine online if there is none in your area. The rub rail protects the hull/deck seam and should be replaced as soon as possible. You need to determine if your boat has been painted or if it has original gel coat. From the picture it's hard to tell. You can refinish faded gel coat fairly easily with rubbing compound and wax. Or you can use some of the restorative systems available, such as vert-glas and island girl. I have no experience with any of these products, I've just heard them mentioned here. If you need to repaint, there are many products available so you'll have to investigate on your own. I can say that the 2 part epoxy types for topsides and deck are better than the one part type. You and your wife can use the "roll and tip" method for applying these paints with very good results. If you choose to apply bottom paint (doesn't look like it from the picture) the ablative type is what you should use since the boat is mostly stored out of the water. I would make it a major priority to reinforce the hull deck joint, as mentioned, and replace the rub rail before I did too much more sailing. The integrity of the hull (strength) and its water tightness depend on this seam. Sounds like you got the sailing bug, so you can look forward to have lots of fun projects and exciting times on the water. Even if you decide to move up to a larger boat, the rub rail and painting improvements will make the boat much easier to sell, and at a better price, too.
The deck is not intended to be separated from the hull. Besides the screws there will have been a very strong adhesive, hopefully epoxy, to bond the two together. Higher end boats laminate the deck and hull with fiberglass. Don't even try to separate the two. In fact, I recommend you purchase a few tubes of 3M 5200 and caulk the seam from both sides to insure a strong and watertight bond. Since the rub rail is off, now is a good time to do this. Regarding the rub rail, I would not try to replace it with wood. You can purchase aluminum, rubber rub rail kits from any chandlery... start with west marine online if there is none in your area. The rub rail protects the hull/deck seam and should be replaced as soon as possible. You need to determine if your boat has been painted or if it has original gel coat. From the picture it's hard to tell. You can refinish faded gel coat fairly easily with rubbing compound and wax. Or you can use some of the restorative systems available, such as vert-glas and island girl. I have no experience with any of these products, I've just heard them mentioned here. If you need to repaint, there are many products available so you'll have to investigate on your own. I can say that the 2 part epoxy types for topsides and deck are better than the one part type. You and your wife can use the "roll and tip" method for applying these paints with very good results. If you choose to apply bottom paint (doesn't look like it from the picture) the ablative type is what you should use since the boat is mostly stored out of the water. I would make it a major priority to reinforce the hull deck joint, as mentioned, and replace the rub rail before I did too much more sailing. The integrity of the hull (strength) and its water tightness depend on this seam. Sounds like you got the sailing bug, so you can look forward to have lots of fun projects and exciting times on the water. Even if you decide to move up to a larger boat, the rub rail and painting improvements will make the boat much easier to sell, and at a better price, too.
Get the rub rail repaireq
Joel I agree, get the rub rail repaired (replaced) asap. I would go with the aluminium and rubber system rather than wood. One good side-swipe with a piling or other boat and all your hard work on a woodedn rub rail can be toothpicks. I'm 60% through refinishing my deck (white part above the rub rail) and should get it 100% done by the end of the Canada Day long weekend (July 1st). Don't hesitate to use this Forum. It's been a great help to me as I up-date my 1970 Mac Venture 22 footer. Have a great weekend. Richard
Joel I agree, get the rub rail repaired (replaced) asap. I would go with the aluminium and rubber system rather than wood. One good side-swipe with a piling or other boat and all your hard work on a woodedn rub rail can be toothpicks. I'm 60% through refinishing my deck (white part above the rub rail) and should get it 100% done by the end of the Canada Day long weekend (July 1st). Don't hesitate to use this Forum. It's been a great help to me as I up-date my 1970 Mac Venture 22 footer. Have a great weekend. Richard
Afflictions
You have two of the major boating afflictions already. One is wanting a bigger boat. You are right that bigger boats are more comfortable but they are also much more work. Learn on this one and then see if you want a bigger one. The second affliction is the love of wood on a boat. You should not fall for this one. Wood on a boat is WORK and unless you like wood more than sailing you should seek to reduce the amount of wood on the boat. New boats have little, if any, exterior wood.
You have two of the major boating afflictions already. One is wanting a bigger boat. You are right that bigger boats are more comfortable but they are also much more work. Learn on this one and then see if you want a bigger one. The second affliction is the love of wood on a boat. You should not fall for this one. Wood on a boat is WORK and unless you like wood more than sailing you should seek to reduce the amount of wood on the boat. New boats have little, if any, exterior wood.
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