Fight Club____for Sailors

[MikeGC]

Sufesq

Now that’s what I call a sailboat. Beautiful! I was where you are in September of last year with my never-ending project, a 1983 Morgan NM 45. Before it could be launched I had to put a new mast on it, refresh the bottom paint, varnish the rub rail and replace the water line and boot stripes. The new mast took longer than expected and the yard ran over my furler. It took about a month to get the parts and repair it.

It went in the water in January and I have been refinishing the inside and outside teak since that time. I also had to rebuild the generator. By that I mean that I had to single hand the job in the back bunk. By the time I took apart, got the parts, and put it back together, it delayed sailing for about two months.

A couple of items you might be interested in.

My bottom was in good condition, no blisters or peeling paint. The paint was put on in early 2004 and it had been out of the water since late 2004. If all you need is a refresh job here is what I did. Taped off the bottom at the waterline of course, sanded the bottom with a mouse sander and 80 grid paper, washed the bottom with soap and water to remove the dust, and wiped it down with acetone and rolled on two coats of bottom paint over the old paint.

It looks like your boot and waterline stripes could use some work as well. Mine did not meet muster either. Instead of painting, I put the stripes on with tape. Most everyone in my area is going to tape over paint for several reasons. It is faster, looks just as good or better, less expensive, easy to repair, and last at least as long. I got the tape from the following

Universal Products
800 835-2054

I put the boat at the dock before going after the interior or exterior teak. I don’t have nearly as much on my exterior as you. I looks like yours in good shape and just needs refinishing. I took my old varnish off with the mouse sander and 50 grit paper and went back with Armada high gloss varnish you can get it at Boaters World. I have 4 coats on everything and it is protected but not perfect. I think you need about 8 to 10 to get perfect but hey it is past time to go sailing.

Your Formosa is beautiful but don’t be surprised if you don’t make the September deadline. Everything seems to take twice as long as you think.

[CharlieCobra]

Originally Posted by Surfesq

Charlie? Bad hair day? Go sailing you need to relax! lol. I haven't heard from you in a while. How is everthing?
I don't think any of the regulars, myself included, think this is anything but an occupier of time during the work day.
Denis: There are a bunch of guys on this thread from your neck of the woods. You guys should hook up. I might just have to pop up that way for a few Dark and Stormys!
Hey, I posted a few pictures of my wreck in the gallery. I am heading down tonight to do little more sanding. I plan to start varnishing this week.

Nah, I've had pnuemonia since last Wednesday and am still working so I was a bit irritated. I did go sailing with the youngest Daughter though (her first time). We had some good air at first and then it settled down enough that she got to go lounge on the forepeak, so we thought. She got comfy and about 5 minutes later we got hit hard with a puff. The boat heeled about 50* and she went sliding for the side until she got caught in the Jib. With her weight to Leeward things really got dicey and we almost did a Chinese. I got her to round up finally with about a foot of water in the cockpit and Katherine came scrambling back over the cabin where it was safer. So for a bit at least, we had the gunn'ls in the water. Didn't put the sails or the stick in it and that's all that counts.

[Pirate's Booty]

An older neighbor invited me and the beefcake to go out sailing with him soon.

Well, I was particularly glad we didn't go that day, as I saw his usually gleaming boat towed back in by vessel assist - the poor guy looked super stressed out - he had obviously been through the wringer and the boat looked like it had plowed through a mud field!

So much for sailing to "relax"!

[CalypsoP35]

I think we need to set an over/under on Surfesq's splash date to give him a little more incentive to keep going. No way is he getting through his to do list by September unless he's planning on taking all of August off. I'm betting she doesn't get splashed 'til November 1st. That brightwork is going to be gorgeous once it's done.

What is the standard (insurance wise) sailing season in MD? Up here it's May 1st to Oct. 31st.

[TrueBlue]

I would suspect she could stay wet all winter down in Surf's waters, without an insurance surcharge. Many sailors keep their boats in the water all winter on Narragansett Bay. Since the spars and rigging would most likely wait until after launch, the boat could get spashed on time.

The bottomwork is what he should be concentrating on first, then varnishing the brightwork (which I admit will be gorgeous). As a fall-back, varnishing could be done while in the slip, making a September sail possible . . . but unlikely if he continues to spend as much time here as he does.

[banshee]

I have just been referred to as a "Fight Club regular" in another thread after posting a critical comment....... I'm not turning int Esq am I?

I'll bet on a October 6th splash date.

I thought there was someone in Esq's neck of the woods who posted a while ago that they took the boat out of the water for a week in July to clean the hull - and sailed the rest of the time.

Do we have any opinions of mixing fishing and sailing?

[Surfesq]

Sorry for having a negative influence on you Banshee. But from my perspective, there is nothing wrong with calling ******** on people on this site.
We should have a contest for the complainers. They are all so uptight we should see who can shoot a cork out of their butt the farthest! lol.

Mike...thanks for the advice. I am thinking about adding a barrier coat on the bottom before I put on the bottom paint. I am going to spray the hull so that should save me some time. You are right, its a ton of work but what the heck its only time right?

Insurance: In Maryland, I pay insurance for my boats yearly. I learned to winterize them myself and will often go sailing mid winter if there is a warm spell and a breeze. Then just re-winterize the engine. Takes about 20 minutes and is very easy. I usually pull the boat for the month of February and put it back in first week of March. There are a lot of good sailing days here in March and April that get overlooked by the summer sailors.
TBlue: Ouch! I wish I could leave work! As it is, I am hustling to get this note done so I can get back to work.

Fishing Sailing: Absolutely....6 knots is the perfect trolling speed. I typicall run two rods off the back one on each raling in the back. I like parachute rigs with those plastic fish lures for trolling. Works everytime!

[banshee]

your contest brings up a nasty visual!

[banshee]

Hey, how'd I get a rep power of 1?

[Pirate's Booty]

... does Surfesq have an odd facination with feces?

Perhaps related to his former career?

Anyone?