It's Spring!

Well it looks as though I went into hibernation this winter - and maybe I did.

I did do a little work on "Nameless" - but my attention did switch to the sneakbox - which is nearing completion. I will give you an update on her later but let me fill you in on "Nameless".
I had that moment of doubt slip into my mind and thought maybe I would back out of this project. I offered her to to anyone to pay me exactly the cost I had in her - $5,500 to adopt her. This would allow me to purchase another Westsail 32 which did not require the extensive overhaul.

I did not want someone to part her out. The parts would be worth probably more than double my asking price. So I had a number of possible candidates but none could really accept the challenge. I am going to re-list her again on the WOA for sale board and if no one grabs her - I'm in it for the long run.
Ok - so let's see - what has been done. Well I did get the diesel control panel rebuilt and re-installed.

It took a little re-design and I still need to calibrate the tach but all buttons and warning lights work and it is nicer to push a button to start than to hold a bare wire to a battery terminal.

While inspecting the boat a possible candidate for adoption - found some delamination in the cabin top. This concerned him and me as well , but I did a core sample and was pleased to find the core to be quite dry - that actually surprised me. The cabin top is made of 1/4" fiberglass - 1/2" marine plywood - 1/2 " fiberglass. It was the 1/2" fiberglass that had come loose but it by itself is very strong so it was hard to notice. Well - the plan is to drill some holes - inject laminating epoxy and then weigh it down like crazy. I plan to use many 90# bags of cement - and believe that it will work out quite well. The actual cause of the delamination appear that the first layer of fiberglass was not wetted out with resin  that well - as dry strands of fiberglass can be seen laying on the plywood. So - this is an ideal situation for me - un-saturated fiberglass cloth - bonding to dry plywood. In the end - if I can get 50%
bonding I feel that will really do well - and the top layer is almost strong enough by itself.

Now another new twist - I am planning to have the bottom sand blasted - and leave bare to dry - and then follow by a new barrier coat. The boat had this done it 1990 - and the coat has numerous blisters. They all appear to be between the inner layer of gelcoat and an out layer - but I will take it down to the bare laminate to let her breath for 6 months to a year.

I did just play around a bit with some of the teak over the winter - and some of it is cleaning up very nicely. A little bleach and a little sanding and it is ready for finishing - here is an example with just one coat of sanding sealer.

I also got a jointer/planer to help finish the hundreds of batten which make up the ceiling. I have not done many but it looks like it is going to do a good job.

I end now -- but I will say that if anybody out there is looking for a challenge -- I'm still actually sitting on the fence. In one month, I'm going to jumping in full force and not look back.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that I did get Entropy II de-winterized and I sailed her once already this year. I plan to to take a week long cruise in her up to Annapolis around the first of May. May will also be the relaunching of sneakbox after long sleep of about 40 years.

I try and not be so long next time.

Sailor Jim