Vagabond 42 FAQ - 1
What follows in the next few posts is some answers to some of the questions we've run across as well as a question or two of our own. This is not intended to be taken as any sort of absolute. We are sure there exists some variation, but this is what we have found so far.
1. Chainplates – Yes, they really are encapsulated in fiberglass on the hull interior. You might be able to view the layup of some of them inside of the aft deck locker (propane locker on our boat).
Yes, those rusty bolts are holding our chainplates in place - yikes!
Accessing the Chainplates is difficult. Some of them are behind lockers. Others are hidden by the beautiful teak paneling on the interior.
2. This paneling is strips of teak glued to 3/8” plywood that is screwed to firing strips fiberglassed to the hull. The teak must be removed to access the screws in the plywood which must be removed to access the chainplates. We will be addressing this issue in the near future with much creativity expected. Any suggestions are much appreciated. .
3. Interior teak appears to be finished with a very light lacquer coat. Lacquer cut by about 50% and applied with a cloth seems to work well for touching up warn areas or for sealing areas after sanding to remove water stains and whatnot.
4. The interior head liner is made up of removable FRP panels that provide very good access to deck fittings and wiring. So far we’ve not been able to locate a source for matching FRP should the need arise for replacement. If you know of a source, please share.
5. Gypsy had only 1 black water holding tank of unknown capacity. It was a bag in the bilge near the forward head. This bag was not anchored to anything – very creepy.
6. Gypsy’s showers drained into the bilge – yuck.
7. The anchor locker is large and drains into the bilge.
8. Decks – cored fiberglass with gelcoat top coat (under the teak). The coring appears to be plywood – we have not yet cut into it, but we will be as there is evidence of some moisture intrusion in a few places on deck.
9. Teak decking – does not appear to be structural. It is made of strips of teak butted together – no real gap at caulk seams. The seams are routed on one edge of each teak strip and do not go all the way through. The strips are laid in a bed of sealant on the deck and then screwed in place with a bajillion screws.
a. It appears the screw heads start showing when the teak has worn down to about 7/16”-3/8” thickness.
b. The caulk seams disappear when the teak reaches about ¼” of thickness remaining.
10. The bowsprit is mahogany
11. Engine – Ford Lehman model 2711E or 2712E, 80HP, parts for either are interchangeable.
a. Parts and service can be obtained from Bomac (
Bomac Marine- Ford Lehman Engines Parts, Remanufacture and Service )
b. Manuals are available from MarineEngine.com
Ford Lehman Engine Manuals & Sabre Lehman Diesel Marine Engine Manuals
c. A free downloadable engine manual for a Ford Lehman 120 is available at:
Owner's Manuals
d. I am told that removing the engine requires either disassembling it or cutting out the cockpit sole. The galley sink is above the engine and below the cockpit sole. So things could get messy.
e. Engine access is pretty good, but only from the sides.
f. Our water heater is located in the engine compartment.
12. Bilge structure and storage
a. Some of the supports located in the bilge are made of fiberglass encased plywood. In Gypsy’s case some of these have rotted, namely those supporting fuel and water tanks and one located under the forward bulkhead.
b. Fuel, water, and holding tanks are located in the bilge. There is very little remaining space for storage.
13. Fuel and Water tanks – Gypsy came to us with stainless steel fuel and water tanks. We have heard that these boats may have had iron/mild steel tanks originally, but have no experience with that. This definitely worth verifying as changing them out would likely require removing part of the cabin sole.
14. Water lines are copper and run through the bilge. The main water manifold is located inside the engine room behind the companionway steps. The valves appear to be brass – ours are corroded badly and will have to be replaced. It would be nice to relocate the manifold and create an access panel in that location for better access to the front of the engine if it is possible to do so without compromising the strength of the bulkhead.
15. Gypsy’s fridge has a couple of inches of added insulation on the interior of the fridge. This would imply that a PO thought the insulation was inadequate. We will be investigating this further.
16. ??? There is a mild steel beam corroding into rusty oblivion located under the aft berth. It is not clear if this beam is structural or not. The surveyor suggested that it was put in place to support the hull during construction and that it serves no present purpose except to incite speculation. If anyone knows, do please tell. Otherwise, research is ongoing.