Santana 30 , or Pimping my boat..

[john232]

Now that the weather is warmer I have been adding 1/4 inch thick by 1 3/4" wide teak battens to my seat benches, cockpit sole, and top horizontal hatch cover. I have been using the technique that West systems suggests in there shop manual. The proceedure calls for sanding surface and then using 404 adhesive to thicken the epoxy and then adding there graphite powder to get the traditional black colored look. Before actually began mixing the epoxy, I framed and mitered the teak planks to fit, and then spaced size #10 screws between the planks with washer to act as both spacers and the washers (once screwed down enough to keep pressure on the planks)as a mechanical vise. The whole procedure is outlined in West Systems online magazine artical for febuary 2005 archives. I am also getting ready to varnish about 250 linear feet of molding and trim. I have NO idea when this boat will Sail again, but it will be a hell of a nice boat that will be strenthened, and customized to my tasts and function. I guess you could say that I AM PIMPING MY BOAT..

[idrbs]

Let''s hope you''re primping your boat and not pimping your boat.
idrbs

[Jeff_H]

As you have been describing the work that you have been doing on this boat since you bought her, cummulatively you have been adding quite a bit of weight comparatively high above the waterline. These were pretty weight intollerant designs, so I would respectfully suggest that you sail the boat a bit before you add any more weight. One other word of caution, I would also suggest that adding a teak deck to what was essentially a race boat could hurt its resale value.

Respectfully,
Jeff