Old boat needs saving

[Silken]

A bunch of my artist friends suggested turning it into a bench for the garden and a couple of members of the yacht club where it is stored said it would be more cost effective to get a cheap second hand boat. It took months to decide what to do in the end.

Or part of it as an office desk,

 

[stuckinthemud]

for sure it’s a money pit, and a long term rebuild but every boat is a money pit - my favourite definition of a boat is “a hole in the water which you try and fill with money “. If you were looking for a wooden boat restoration project, this is a manageable one but you do need your eyes wide open and do the maths. For me, it’s my time, transport, several hundred fastenings, marine grade paints, marine grade adhesives, and sails (I’d go sprit sail for ease of towing) and rigging. I’ve got the tools and timber. I’d carefully check the hood ends and stem and stern posts for rot and I’d gamble on the keel being ok. I’d reckon on 3 years and probably take 5. Someone I once knew thought his 60ft steel hull would be manageable because the hull was perfect…he worked on it tirelessly for years but it never hit the water The biggest plus , in my eyes, is no engine, so no ancillaries, no through-hull fixings, but I would have to learn how to caulk all those seams.

 

[jetsetwilly]

Sorry to hijack the thread but it brought many fond memories, I took on the restoration of an old composite Wayfarer that turned into an epic long term challenge, it finally took over 12 years to get her back on the water !!!
The whole process was hugely satisfying but sadly now my sons have grown up and moved away she really needs to find a new home.

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Here's a link to my Blog that shows some of the work:
https://wayfarerbramble.blogspot.com/2007/02/wayfarer-w3035-found-in-bushes-and.html

That's got to be the nicest Wayfarer afloat! Where's the algae, and the sailing-school dings??

Years ago I spent a lot of time trying to keep a cold-moulded Albacore afloat, learning the hard way about two-pack varnish on top of old oil-based. Was a lovely boat when it was on the water! But far too much work.

 

[peterw3035]

That's got to be the nicest Wayfarer afloat! Where's the algae, and the sailing-school dings??

Years ago I spent a lot of time trying to keep a cold-moulded Albacore afloat, learning the hard way about two-pack varnish on top of old oil-based. Was a lovely boat when it was on the water! But far too much work.

Thanks for your kind words, there is something very special about sailing a wooden boat. Modern epoxies make a huge difference to maintenance, but even the maintenance is a pleasure

 

[Blister]

The 2 pack system was called " West system " from memory.

 

[peterw3035]

The 2 pack system was called " West system " from memory.

I used West epoxy, their uk supplier Wessex Resins HQ is based in Romsey. Things have now moved on and there are now numerous alternatives on the market. Who would thought you could make a resin water table ??