(page 126 of 165)

Scupper 1

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Shortly after arrival at the shop in June 2017, I performed a walk-through and visual inspection of the boat to observe her overall condition and help determine, along with the owner’s eventual input, the project scope ahead.  The boat, a unique design called a Mystic Legnos 30, was in pretty rough shape overall, with substantial cosmetic requirements as well as the usual collection of deck problems and old systems.

Click here to view numerous photos and the initial inspection report.

Though I didn’t expect to begin the substantial portion of the project for some months, with some availability in the schedule and shop I took the opportunity to move Scupper indoors and begin some of the preliminary work, mainly cleaning out and the beginnings of disassembly and hardware removal.

Once she was indoors, I spent part of a day removing various items from the cabin and storage areas.  More work to come.

Total time billed on this job today:  3 hours

Inspection Report

 

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Initial Photos, Inspection, and Comments

Bottom:

The bottom looks to be in pretty good shape, at least as far as the outward appearance.  The bottom paint is sound and not overly thick, and there are no obvious signs of damage visible through the paint.   The rudder has some issues top and bottom and will require attention.  The propeller aperture is very small, and enlarging it may prove to be desirable or required depending on the course we choose with the engine.  Stripping the bottom will help determine whether there are any underlying issues, but isn’t strictly necessary either.

 

Topsides:

The topsides are in cosmetically poor condition with various indications of previous damage (i.e. docking incidents, etc.) and poorly-executed repairs.  These areas are visible near the stem on both sides, and most notably along much of the port side of the hull.  Normal surface prep procedures will help highlight any real issues, if any, and will also address these cosmetic interruptions during the natural course of the work.  While there is substantial work required to bring the topsides back to excellent condition, it’s within normal bounds of boats of this age and nature.

The original boottop and waterline, marked with molded scribe marks in the hull, are clearly off-kilter, in the wrong position in places, and wiggly, noticeable both by eye (in terms of overall fairness) and by the position of the floating scum line still visible.  We can correct or enhance this during painting as needed.

 

Deck:

The deck is in fair to poor condition, with plenty of cosmetic restoration required in all areas (including woodwork), as well as several immediately-noticeable soft areas that will require structural repair, most notably on the bridgedeck in way of the two deck prisms.  Other areas will surely come to light.  The coachroof is covered with Treadmaster applique that will require significant labor to remove during the refinishing process.  Deck hardware is of similar vintage to the boat and in various condition, mainly usable but mostly dated and in rough cosmetic condition.  This can all be assessed later during removal.  The teak  bowsprit, with pulpit attached, appears sound but has some cosmetic issues.  As with every part of the boat, many of the decisions related to the final scope of work will come down to personal preferences and the expectations/desires for the final condition and appearance of the boat.

 

Systems and Mechanical:

The engine, a 2-cylinder Yanmar, appears original vintage.  I’ve not yet assessed its true or operating condition.  Access for general maintenance is fair; removal and/or replacement of the engine, with its location behind the head and beneath the cockpit, will require a fair expenditure of effort since there is no direct way to lift or hoist the engine.  Changes to the engine may require reworking the propeller aperture to fit a different propeller.

Other systems, such as plumbing, through hulls, and electrical, will require a complete and comprehensive overhaul and replacement to suit your needs and requirements.  The final scope of the project in all ways will be directed largely by the extents (and installation complications) of these systems.

 

Interior:

Barring any significant reconfiguration of the interior layout or built-in cabinetry (molded fiberglass with wooden trim in most cases), the interior restoration will revolve largely around cosmetic repairs, enhancements, and upgrades as you see fit for your own vision for the boat.  Existing woodwork, at a minimum, should be refinished, but replacement may be worthwhile in some cases.  The interior is generally dank and dirty and will require the usual amount of significant cleaning, surface preparations, and refinishing.  Interior cushions are fair but should likely be replaced.  The work list for the cabin will likely be substantial, but the basics appear to be in place and we can work from there.

The existing sails and canvas are serviceable, but old and worn.  Other equipment, including anchors and rodes, docking equipment, etc. is old and, while serviceable in a technical sense, not generally worthy of re-use.

Continuing discussions and the natural progression of work on the boat will help fine-tune the final project scope and needs.  These comments are based only on initial visual inspection, and more will surely come to light as time goes on.

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Total time billed on this job today:  .5 hours

Acadia 74

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Tuesday

First thing in the morning, a local boat hauler arrived to take Acadia to her owner’s home port for launching and the season.  Thank you!

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odds6

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Wednesday

A final touch for the project was to put a name on the boat.  The owner chose an old family boat name, and after various iterations with font and style choices, selected the final version for the transom, which I ordered from a local graphics shop and installed.  The vinyl is gold leaf with green outline.  The little holes in the transom are screw inserts designed for the traditional wooden nameboards often seen on these boats.

Later, with some “custom-painted” white screws, I finished up by inserting the screws in the threaded holes to help hide them.  From a modest distance, this made a significant difference.

Total time billed on this job today:  1.5 hours

0600 Weather Observation:
40°, clear.  Forecast for the day:  sun, clouds, some showers, around 60

Acadia 73

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Tuesday

Finishing off the interior work were a few final touches from the upholstery contractor, including curtains on the cabin windows, a curtain to hang and close off the passageway by the head, and two filler cushions designed to fit in the convertible starboard settee in the saloon (one of which stored against the hull in the quarterberth; the other as a small backrest on the port settee), as well as some throw pillows in a coordinating fabric.

0600 Weather Report:
42°, cloudy.  Forecast for the day:  mostly cloudy, drizzle, and a shower, 50s

Halcyon 63

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Tuesday

The final touch to complete the project was the new cushions, which the contractor completed and installed, first in the interior.  These looked terrific and rounded out the new appearance nicely.

The cockpit cushions were much the same, and, as requested by the owner, included a pair of throwable cushions modeled after the standard Type IV cushions.

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0600 Weather Observation:
42°, cloudy.  Forecast for the day:  mainly cloudy, drizzle and a shower, 50s

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Monday

With two good maintenance coats of varnish, that task was complete, and I removed the masking tape to finish up the brightwork job.

Total time billed on this job today:  .5 hours

0600 Weather Observation:
42°, rain.  Forecast for the day:  rain and showers, 40s

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Friday

After lightly sanding the first fresh new coat of varnish, and the usual cleaning steps, I applied a second maintenance coat to all areas.

Total time billed on this job today:  2.75 hours

0600 Weather Observation:
50°, clouds and fog.  Forecast for the day:  clouds, fog, shower in the morning, clearing in the afternoon, 70

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Thursday

After a slight delivery delay, I was ready to get to work on some basic maintenance on this owner’s next small boat:  a Doughdish, which is the fiberglass version of everyone’s favorite daysailer, the Herreshoff 12-1/2.  My task list was small, mainly maintenance coats of varnish.  The existing brightwork was in good condition, as it’d been redone only a year ago and mainly kept under cover, but as any varnish owner should do, the owner wanted to ensure long life by having me do a couple maintenance coats before the season.

With the existing coating in such good condition, preparation for the new coats of varnish was straightforward, just a light sanding everywhere with 320 grit.

Afterwards, I vacuumed, solvent-washed, then masked off around the brightwork as necessary.

Finally, I applied the first of two coats of fresh varnish everywhere.

Total time billed on this job today:  4.25 hours

0600 Weather Observation:
45°, clouds and fog.  Forecast for the day:  clouds and fog, drizzle, touch of sun, around 60

Halcyon 62

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Wednesday

The replacement rigging–both running rigging (halyards) and  standing rigging–was now complete and on hand at the shop, so I spent some time installing it on the mast, stringing the halyards and reconnecting the rigging before securing things for storage and transport.  The only apparent hiccup was that the new boom topping lift was too short–inexplicable since the original, which I’d provided for replication, was clearly and obviously longer.  I contacted the rigger to arrange for him to supply an appropriate replacement, and I’d finish installing it later, once it arrived.

To support the lifelines where they ran outside the cap shrouds, I lashed bronze ferules to the stay at the appropriate height–about 18″ from deck–to match the height of the after stanchions.  Once the mast was stepped, the lifelines could be disconnected at the turnbuckle aft and run through this ferule, with minor adjustments possible in the lashing depending on the real-world situation when all was said and done.

The final project awaiting completion now was the new interior and cockpit cushions, which were on order and had been patterned already, but final completion would likely be a few weeks hence.

Total time billed on this job today:  2 hours

0600 Weather Observation:
30 °, mainly cloudy.  Forecast for the day:  Mostly cloudy, 40s

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