Progress

Well it's been awhile since my last update, so here is a rundown of what I've accomplished in the last few months.

Suzuki Outboard
Well I pulled the lower unit off to put in a new water pump and found a disintegrated thrust bearing had taken out the water pump housing and sent enough metal into the gearbox to ruin the rest of the bearings. So needless to say the lower unit has been rebuilt with a new bearings, seals and then painted. Found everything I needed super cheap at boats.net but it did take six weeks to get everything for this old motor. Also picked up new fuel fittings, hose and 6gal tank at the local West Marine. All that's left to do here is pick up a new motor bracket...

Barlow 15 Winches
These were gummed up so bad they wouldn't turn hardly at all. Disassembled and cleaned everything with solvent, replaced pawl springs and reassembled with fresh winch grease. I found some Barient springs at West Marine that worked perfect. Spent $9 for a pack of 10 so I should be good for a very long time, part number 6355705. I found some service info on the web for this model of winch.

Ahh Sheet!

The new halyards showed up from D & R Marine today and was the last thing I've been waiting for. I'm going to reuse the blocks for the mainsheet system and boom vang for now, just replaced the line with some new sta-set.

I'm hoping the next couple days will be productive as I have some last minute tasks to finish up. Everything is coming together nicely and hope to get in the water next weekend for a shake down.

To do list:

1. Check masthead and sheaves
2. Inspect all clevis pins and retainer rings
3. Remove, inspect and reseal chainplates
4. Service winches
5. Repair or replace bow eye

Almost Sailing...

The title has been transferred and new boat numbers applied, almost ready to sail! Spent last weekend washing the hull and organizing things in the cabin. Also stepped the mast and checked the standing and running rigging. Ordered new halyards, sheets and a tabernacle pin in anticipation of actually sailing in a week or two. Can't wait, wife is actually excited to do some sailing and boat in camping.

New O'day 22 Addition

I've been keeping a close eye on Craigslist for a mast or complete boat and was finally rewarded for my patience. I picked up a complete 1976 O'Day 22 with a nice roller trailer for less than half the price of a new mast from D & R Marine. The hull has a pretty good dinger on the starboard side and some questionable repair work to the transom. Good news is that the mast is absolutely pristine! I'm toying with the idea of throwing it in the water for the summer while I finish boat number one. Then transfer over the standing rigging and trailer, strip boat number two of all the good parts and send it to boat heaven.

In addition to the mast and trailer I now have a heavy duty bow pulpit, lifelines and stanchions, a nice boat cover and a couple extra sails. I'm jazzed but the wife thinks I'm nuts...she's probably right.

I Am The Sandman!

Ouch! I have been sanding for six days straight and my right hand is numb from the palm sander. I've finished sanding the rest of the teak, interior wood items and hatches. Will start on the hull this weekend after I take a small break for the rest of the week to rest up and prepare.

This was a half day affair, previous owner probably used an entire tube of caulk and the hatch flange still leaked. Was able to remove it without damaging anything and noticed improper placement of hinges never allowed the hatch to seal against the flange.

Deck is almost completely stripped, after I finish removing the cockpit hardware it will be a bare hull. I'm anxious to stop sanding and start sailing! I didn't get as much done this month as I had hoped but good progress nonetheless.

Been Awhile...

Well its been awhile since my last post and sailing season draws near. Not much has been accomplished this year but I'm making a hard push to wrap this up and get sailing!

Purchases this month:

1. Fiberglass Supplies - I found the best deal on West System products at Discount Marine Supplies .


2. Topside Paint - Bought all Interlux Brightside products at Wholesale Marine .


3. Large hinged tabernacle and organizer plate - Purchaed from D & R Marine , also talked with Rudy about a mast complete w/rigging and should finalize the purchase in the next couple weeks.

So I now have everything to repair, rebed and repaint the topside. I hope to have that complete by the middle of March, then put the interior back together and finally finish up with a fresh coat of bottom paint.