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Saturday, September 28, 2013

Solid little boat



The weather has been dry and mild lately. That's a lucky break for me as I've been working on my Oday 19 sailboat. Getting ready for sailing next month.

The problem with projects, as any one with a tool box knows, is that projects grow. I thought I could do a bit of repair on the shelves in the boat. Before long, both of them were removed and thrown away. I had not realized how bad the rot had settled in. Fortunately I was able to salvage enough to use as templates to cut out new parts.

Most of the work I'm doing on the boat won't even be visible. Upgraded wiring, rebedded hardware, and even the new shelves, aren't very visible. Epoxy, new hardware, paint, caulk and marine grade adhesives might be hidden, but the boat is much stronger because of it.

Of course, anyone with a boat knows that it's possible to repair and upgrade forever. At some point a sailor has to say: good enough!

There are some more visible upgrades: a new depth finder, a new heavy duty anchor, and a second gas tank.

Even with all the repairs and upgrades, it's still a tiny boat. Most people will assume we are on a day sail, or an overnight trip at most. Few would guess that we are planning an extended coastal cruise.

It's not like we are trying to some heroic endurance thing. This is a small boat, yes, but it's a small boat we are comfortable in. I've read about a couple who did a similar trip in a 16 foot boat. They had oars. We have a 6 hp outboard -luxury!

This is what we do to relax. Knowing that the boat has all these little things fixed takes a load off my mind.

-Sixbears

10 comments:

  1. "Safety first," should be EVERYONE'S motto. It sounds like you've been working mostly on that sort of thing.

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    1. You are right. Most of this stuff has been safety related to one degree or the other.

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  2. Good to get the repairs done now instead of when you are out on the water. Maintenance - it's a good thing!

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    1. That's where being about to put a boat on a trailer is a nice thing. Much easier to work on.

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  3. Make sure to check the wood and fiberglass on the swing keel bolt axel. My 20 ft Oday suffered some issues down there. Better to fix the problem now while it's on the trailer rather than have the keel stuck in the down position like I did once upon a time....
    Sure did put on a show for the locals when we put the boat broadside to the shore. Then used a halyard hanked on to a long lead, pulled by around 10 people sideways we drug the boat over on its side up on the beach. Where I could repair the stuck keel lol

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    1. That must have be fun . . . for others to watch.

      I planned on checking things down there soon. Going to be under it touching up bottom paint.

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  4. Sure is better to work on the boat when you are not using it. You have a good thing going and will again have a great vacation.

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    1. Certainly is easier on the trailer, right next to the power tools.

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  5. Howdy Bears,
    We have a 17' O'Day, just sitting on the trailer, on 2 flat tires, a BRAND NEW MAINSAIL & JIB, that someone could surely have a lot of fun with... I'm unable to even put it in the water and hate to see it just ruin...
    I'd love to see a pic of her, with sails filled...
    She needs 'cleaning-up', but she's still Seaworthy...
    Hope someone needs her and sees it on here...
    She's out in Coleman county, TEXAS @ the RunningStar Ranch...

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    1. The 17 is a nice little boat. Good luck finding a new home for it.

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