After much trailer prep work, the soon to be beauty, is at rest in the back yard where she will endure great restoration over the next few months.
The trip...While I think I spent more time looking in the rear view mirror than looking ahead at the road, and jumped at every noise coming from the trailer during the drive, everything was safe and sound. While the trailer does have quite a bit of rust on it and the leaf springs squeeked like dog toys the wheels didn't fall off. Needless to say, I was glad to unhitch that boat from my truck.
Trailer prep...Because there is not telling what the history of the trailer is I emboarek on changing the bearings and ended up springing for all new hubs. Marine grade hubs are around $30.00 each and slip right on. Found a wheel and tire set at Northern Tool and sprung for those also $99.00 each + a 2 dollar tire fee. 15" wheels was a good choice. The trailer lighting (Brake lights) had to be replaced before hitting the road and those were purchased at West Marine $40.00. I opted for the submersible lights for obvious reasons. The lighting package included side markers, a license plate holder and connection to my truck. Had to install a safety chain as well. Got one rated at 5,000 lbs just for fun $10.00.
Initial clean down...Before boarding the boat, with the help of a few great neighbors, we lifted the back of the boat onto a stand so it sat off the trailer. This allows access to the boat without the trailer tipping back.
Deck: The boat had all kinds of dark mold/moss/dirt on the deck that easily came off with softscrub and water. With some scrubbing the white deck finish and yellow non-skid finish began to show through. We'll definitely need a gelcoat for the deck because touching it leaved that white powder on the hands.
The life line that had almost pulled out of all it's mounts was easily removed and will be replaced with bracing underneath. It was origionally just screwed into the deck and was only suited for light use. We'll reinforce that thing.
Interior: After pulling out stained, dirty, and gross foam block after foam block, we hit the interior with a wet/dry vac and a mop bucket. Going thruogh about 7 buckets of water that quickly turned brown, the lining of the interior became white and will definitely need sanding and painting.
The initial clean down was strictly for looks considering everything will be sanded and refinished, but it did help locate potential problem spots, pain peeling spots and got the standing water out of the boat from all the rain over the past month.
Tarp it up! I bought a 20'x12' 2 ply tarp that now covers the boat. It works like a charm and should keep it dry through through all the rain the southeast US seems to have had over the past 18 months. Bungee's keep in in place.
About every hour nice neighbor after nice neighbor stopped by to check out my new project. The two most common questions were "What's her name" and "When will she be ready to sail." Then came, "Do you know how to sail?" I bought her named Wind Dancer and the project goal for maiden launch is June 1st. That is 3 months and about a week. And no, I don't know how to sail or anything about it other than I have wanted to for as long as I can remember.
The Challenge... Me, a kid with a degree in business, without a full time job and virtually no knowledge of sailing thinks he can fix up a 1973 sailboat to pristine condition in 3 months. Does he have what it takes? Only time will tell!
Overall, the structural integrity of the boat is intact. The next post will get into problam areas and hopefully have a time line and action plan for the project.
Excite-o-meter---Very Excited
Motivation-o-meter---Very Motivated
Progress-o-meter---substantial progress made
Jay
