C&C 24 Former Yard Derelict - First Sailing Season Afloat in 10 Years

[captainmurph]

After sitting neglected for 9 years and a year-log renovation and repair, my C&C 24 - now named Carib Dreamer is snug inside a storage building after her first year sailing out of Saugatuck/Douglas on Lake Michigan.

While I have a list of projects to do this winter - including removing all topside hardware and toe rails for sealing and new topside paint - I am pleased with how much I enjoyed the comfort and seaworthiness of this fine craft.

While I didn't get the chance to make any trips and limited my sailing to 3-4 hours at a time after leaving the mouth of the Kalamazoo River, I found her sailing abilities were remarkable.

She pointed well and handled up to 6 foot seas with great stability and neutral helm. I used the main full or with one or two reefs depending on wind and found that she was very well balanced. I used the standard 70/100 reefable jib full most of the time, never got the 150? hanked on but did (see pictures) use the gennaker on a couple of occasions.

I did a lot of work to get this boat seaworthy including major hull repair on both sides, but it is solid and, with a tiller pilot addition and a bit more projects completed, is ready for venturing further afield in the spring.

I came to know this boat farily thoroughly during refit and would be glad to help any others who are tackling major project.

Captain Murphy
s/v Carib Dreamer
Saugatuck/Douglas

[chef2sail]

She looks great....More to come next season I am sure. Congrats

Dave

[mgmhead]

Murph,

Looking good. Congrats on the rehab, glad to know she's such a pleasure. Enjoy!

[sinead]

way to go and keep flying the tricolour. The first boat is always the best :-)

[captainmurph]

Originally Posted by sinead

way to go and keep flying the tricolour. The first boat is always the best :-)

If you're careful in upgrading, they just keep getting better! I think this is about #8 since 1985.

[dave316]

Capt Murf,
My congrats to you and your fine ship, I know all to well what you went through.
I have the blog below you, for locating other 35 MK1 owners. mine was also a yard case, the owner put her on the beach in 1995 and walked away. After 13+ years of neglect and new england weather I'm sure you can use your imagination of her condition. Your vessel looks really great and best of luck with her, I'm sure she will serve you well. I don't quite understand why people walk away from there boats, (I'm sure they have there reasons) but I'm glad that there are people in the world who see these boats and bring them back to life! Nice Job again!
Dave.

[PaulinVictoria]

Top job, she looks fantastic! What are the dimensions of your genny?