USYacht project

[edeh]

An old USYacht 20 has become available for MAJOR refit. I am working with a couple of young men (ok older boys...) on a project to get them past the railbait/movable balist stage of their sailing experience. What appears to be a early 80's USYacht 20 has become available for the guys to learn on. I am trying to find more information on this hull if possible. Any information, ie rigging, hull details, service issues..., would be greatly appreciated. This boat has been neglected for a very long time. THANKS

[Trimmer]

I've got a 25, 1981. I can never find my boat on any "list". They were made by Bayliner and are pretty nice boats. I think this boat line was originally called Buckaneer. I find the hardware to be a little above average and the layup not too thin. Maybe clean it up and test it out before investing alot.
Tim

[GraemeInCanada]

Here's a link for you:
http://www.diysailor.com/index.php/us-yachts.html

I've also got a '25 US yacht and I really like it. Very well balanced boat, I cut the tiller to under 2 feet because it's balanced so well. Requires very little work to sail it. Takes a lot to push it over, holds a good amount of stuff and when rigged for single handing it is extremely easy to handle in most situations.

[empaynejr]

I have a 22' 1981 US Yacht that I sail on lakes here in Utah. I have been looking for some references too and have had not luck. like stated above, they are easy to handle and lots of fun.

[GalwayGirl]

My wife and I have an '81 US Yacht 25. Really hard to find any info. My father and I are refitting it now. Have torn up the sub floor that was rotted very badly and working on fiber glassing in a new one this weekend. Then onto building out the interior the way we want. Having a blast so far working on it. Seems to be a decently made boat and is definitely a good starter boat.

Justin

[empaynejr]

I want to replace the porthole...the plexyglass is cracked and the seals all leak. Any sugestions?

[US27inKS]

I've got a 1980 US27 that I rebuilt from a junker. In my photobucket album there are some overhaul pics sprinkled in with other pics of all kinds of stuff. You name it, and I've probably done it on my boat.

As far as a US20, I've never heard of one. More likely it's a US18 or US22.

Pictures by US27inKS - Photobucket

[GalwayGirl]

Great Pics John! Thank you for sharing those. Gives me hope for my 25! Saw that you own an automotive business. Funny, I manage a body shop in Franklin, Tenn. We can blame our jobs on our hobby!
The pics of the floor will be a help, because we are having to replace mine as well.
Is there a source for parts for the USYachts online or how to sites?

Justin

[US27inKS]

There really are no parts suppliers for USY. Bayliner disowned anything to do with sailboats many years ago. All you can do is cut it apart, and make new pieces to match. Most of the spars and rigging for these boats came from Kenyon. There are very few sources for Kenyon parts, but standard harken and lewmar will work with very little modification.

When I replaced the floor, I bought marine plywood and epoxy from Noah's marine supply. Good prices and reasonable shipping. If you have a local source, use it, if not call Noah's.

To cut the tabbing for the furniture, I used an air die grinder with a rotozip DC1 bit.

Have fun.

[GalwayGirl]

Sounds good. The hull is stripped right now, as we cut out the existing benches, head, half of the V berth, etc. I'm extending the V berth 10" for more sleeping comfort. Not doing a full head or plumbing. Just keeping it simple for weekends on the lake with the wife and soon to be baby girl.
Got the marine plywood and about the get the mat and resin. Thank you for the advice and I'm sure I'll be posting with more questions in the next months.