pearson 26 new owner

[dbcooper72]

Is she a one design or standard P-26?
I have a P-26 One Design/weekender Hull # 74 (with the long cockpit).
How hard was it to remove the original keel bolts? You made it sound “easy”. It’s on my list, did you take any photos?
Also, you mentioned Stainless bolts? I was under the impression that without oxygen Stainless breaks down and can pit/corrode.
thanks

[CalebD]

Also, did you have to dig a trench or pit to get the new rudder installed?

Your boat (or any boat) will move a lot faster through water without a beard 2" thick of barnacles.

I do love the lines of the P 26. Looks like my boat (T 27') from 50 yards away. A not too distant 2nd cousin?

[beaufait]

No digging. I was on the marina hard top. I installed the rudder when they picked the boat up to launch. The rudder tube was in perfect condition and I had already test fit the bushings so it took less than a minute.

[beaufait]

I didn't try to remove the nuts normally. I picked up a nut breaker and a chisel from Harbor freight for about ten bucks and cut the nuts off. Many were so corroded that simply hitting with a hammer caused them to disintegrate. The bolts were actually in pretty good shape. The nuts were exposed to fresh water from leaks around the windows. (My next big project) I felt that stainless was a better choice in the bilge. After looking at the posts here it was stainless or bronze and I didn't have the money or the time to get the bronze. These should last for the life of the boat. (I hope!)
Good Luck
joe

[beaufait]

Oh, my p26 is a standard.

[beaufait]

We got the Janna's Dance out for a nice sail last week. The wind was perfect the water flat. It was a sweet day and a nice sail. The new rudder makes her handle beautifully. Now all I have to fix are the leaking ports and I can start tuning up the interior. I'll try to add some pictures soon.

[rhr1956]

I bought a 1978 Pearson 26 OD in March. It had no rudder. The guy I bought it from had a Catalina 27 rudder cut down and sleaved it onto a new stainless rudder post. He gave that to me me with the boat. I finished some glass work, sealed with epoxy and painted it with anti fowl. A buddy helped me installed it in the water. We slipped the new lower bushing onto the rudder post. Tied a wire bail to the top of the rudder post and tied a rope to that. Then ran the rope up through the rudder tube. He guided the head of the rudder post into the opening and I pulled the post up through the floor of the boat. Installed the top bushing and washer, new collar, tiller head. Bingo! Works great.

[fendertweed]

Originally Posted by beaufait

I didn't try to remove the nuts normally. I picked up a nut breaker and a chisel from Harbor freight for about ten bucks and cut the nuts off. Many were so corroded that simply hitting with a hammer caused them to disintegrate. The bolts were actually in pretty good shape. The nuts were exposed to fresh water from leaks around the windows. (My next big project) I felt that stainless was a better choice in the bilge. After looking at the posts here it was stainless or bronze and I didn't have the money or the time to get the bronze. These should last for the life of the boat. (I hope!)
Good Luck
joe

How did you brace/hold the keel while you did this work? Did you do a bolt at a time to keep the others in place to hold it, or did you build some kind of frame such as Dan Pfeiffer illustrates on his P26 site (I think)?

Thanks,
Jon