I'm back...Bimini top and many upgrades

[Russ]

Your rig looks fine. As long as you are out there having fun, who cares. There are the purists who will comment about sail trim and every other little thing wrong, but a boat that is used is a great boat.

--Russ

I have noticed that in the sailing world....there does seem to be a bit of an air of superiority in some when you talk about boats in the sailing world, and little tolerance for anything but the "best" materials and the costliest solutions to issues....I've learned to roll with it...I haven't experienced it here as much at all (in fact nada, which surprised me) ...ya'll have been great embracing my redneck style...but I do run into it...especially over my whole "lake-mast" and the fact that I rigged my boat so it was better for me, vs "how it's supposed to be"

You have to understand though...I come from this world




This a guy I know's boat I worked on....he had bad carpet and a bunch of astro-turf leftover from a job...so sometimes we go out with drivers and drive golf balls off the back

no joke....you recognise my shop from other photos so you know this is a real redneck job on the "Grass-boat"

Git-R-Dun!!

Cheers

Dave

Cinder block anchor...triples as a trailer jack stand and an extra seat underway.

Love a multipurpose tool.

[81venture]

Been Kinda Busy...

Still trucking though

Picked up this thing for Free



I stole some parts (there was no outdrive or motor) and a guys coming to pick it up tomorrow for $80

It's relevant because on the back it has the teak swim platform I have been searching for to install on the VN23
I also think I am going to put this lower stern rail on the mac and remove the taller one. The Admiral says the stern rail makes it difficult to board from the ladder, have to say I agree...This stern rail is also "Sectional" so I can customize it and make it fit better than the one I am using now..

Yeesh, now I have 3 Bow pulpits, and 3 stern rails in the inventory to sell....anyone need rails??? lol

Also picked up this neat little 1961 Sail-Star for $600




Spruced it up and she's on Craigslist for $1500 obo

if it stops raining I'm hoping to do the swim platform and rail today and will post the pics later

cheers
Dave

[Russ]

There must be a 12 step program for what you have.

[81venture]

Well this was harder than it looks!

I took of the Stern Rail off the VN23 yesterday. Although I liked the way it "looked" it did make boarding from the rear ladder rather difficult. The Stern rail off this latest free boat is much lower.

The dimensions were all wrong, and the way it wrapped around the side of the Venture wasn't working too well. The rear of these boats is rather unique shaped. Took quite a few beers, and a lot of cutting but in the end I ended up with this.




I cut the stern rail down and used the 2 bends to fit right in between the taffet rails. The wooden rails are both what make the VN23 look so nifty, but also a PITA when adding mods (like stern rail, bimini top)....but no way I was taking them off. I then cut longer middle pieces from the left overs, so I have four connecting points to the boat.

The down side to this new rail is being lower it makes lowering the mast a new challenge. With the old stern rail it was high enough that when the mast is dropped it rests on the stern rail. I unpin it and slide it forward some....then lash it to the stern rail. Now the lower stern rail means I'll need a mast crutch back there. If I lower the mast now it would drop lower than the cabin and get "hung" so I would either need two people. One to hold it in the cockpit, while I unpin and slide it forward.

I solved this issue by using one of the left over T-connections from the free boats stern rail. It's mounted in the middle of the new rail, but facing UP. I'll take some Stainless pole stock I have and cut it to the right length, with a "U" at the top. It will be stored in the cockpit, and when time to drop the mast I'll pull it out and place it in the T connection.

Also am working on adding the new swim platform....in this photo its just a dry fit. Another unique challange of the VN23 is the ass slopes inward, and the donor boat had a FLAT transom. I'll have to shim out the bottom connection points some or it's going to slant downward and not be level.




So today I will be trying to figure that out.....a few old holes to glass in as well if the weather permits....kinda gray outside today

Oh, one question...on the back of the Boat, where the swim platform is there is an Eagle. It's bolted on the back. Was this Original equipment or original owner add on??

Cheers

Dave

[Seapup]

Enjoying the updates

You need to start a scrapyard website with your parts inventory

I put the same swim platform on my Potter 19, it had a flat stern making the mounting easy though. It was my favorite and most useful mod I did to the boat.

[Russ]

Took quite a few beers, and a lot of cutting but in the end I ended up with this.

I would have the opposite effect.

Oh, one question...on the back of the Boat, where the swim platform is there is an Eagle. It's bolted on the back. Was this Original equipment or original owner add on??

Don't know, but my guess is that owner add on. It seems out of character for Roger to add something like that to a new boat.

[81venture]

Enjoying the updates

You need to start a scrapyard website with your parts inventory

I put the same swim platform on my Potter 19, it had a flat stern making the mounting easy though. It was my favorite and most useful mod I did to the boat.

Thanks

I do have a large inventory now....I have stated before if anyone needs anything let me know. I probably Have two.

Like for instance I have 3 pulpits, 3 stern rails, and enough Stanchions and line to put rails/lifelines on 3 large boats

I have 17 different sails

Enough standing rigging to re-do at least 2 full sailboats.
7 anchors
etc. etc.

This morning I am glassing in the old holes from the previous stern rail, as well as a few from PO stuff I removed (like a VHF mount)

Hoping to have some more pics of the finished rail and platform this afternoon maybe

Cheers

Dave

[TIMBOAT2]

I could use a main. 25' or so by 10.5' or so.
T

[81venture]

I lost the paper I had the measurements of the big sail I have to sell

I gotta drag it back out again

It is however Dang near Brand new...and it came off a 25 ft boat I believe


Dave

[81venture]

Timboat - I haven't gotten a chance yet to check that sail. I promise I will soon.

I just acquired a new part-time (with full time hours) job. I now take care of my mother-in-law (83) who is in the later stages of dementia. I'm there from 1-6:30 7 pm. It was either me, or pay someone else a lot more to do it, and we didn't think we could get her to accept a stranger at this point.
We have plans in the works to build an addition up here at the Rolesville Marina, and move them in.

So I had to slow down a little on the Vn23 work.

I got the new stern rail finished, just need my son to help me tighten all the bolts (and seal)....need someone below with a socket

Meanwhile the new swim platform has been posing a bit of an issue with the downward slant to the stern. I need to shim the bottom out but finding something about 2 inches long (ish) yet also looks nice has been a challenge. I didn't want to "stack" a boat load of washers...looks tacky.

Finally had a brainstorm this morning. I had cut down some 2x1 inch chunks of spare teak wood from the scrap pile into little squares. The width was perfect. but it looked horrible again. I suddenly realized round ones would be ideal!

First attempt (because I am NOT a woodworker) was to try and cut one of my squares round with the jigsaw and then sand....didn't come out so well

Then I realized it! I used to use a hole-saw when I owned my wiring business...and when you drilled one out we chucked the leftover "disc" it left.

So, used a smaller hole saw and cut out 8 perfectly round and matching "washers"

you can see the first attempt on the right side






need to lightly sand and then oil them and they will look great.

I also realized this was a good idea with a larger hole saw to rebuild rotten Taffet Rail columns. Might not look like original, but if you're a little creative you can make it work.

Anyway, someone probably already thought of this, but I thought it a good idea worth posting...now whenever I need spacers I can make them out of teak vs stacking washers or whatnot

Cheers

Dave

[vizwhiz]

Any chance you have an asymmetrical spinnaker type sail that would work on a 26' Mac? I'd be happy to find one of the original Mac type that someone isn't using, but I'm considering anything close at the moment.

Anyone else who might also want to part with one is welcome to chime in...

[81venture]

Any chance you have an asymmetrical spinnaker type sail that would work on a 26' Mac? I'd be happy to find one of the original Mac type that someone isn't using, but I'm considering anything close at the moment.

Anyone else who might also want to part with one is welcome to chime in...

Just sold the only spinnaker I had

I got a couple Jib sails left
a mainsail from a 27 ft boat
a dinghy sail


that's it for sails


Now how about them teak spacers?

[NavySailor]

Very nice spacers!

Got any compasses, inclinometers or depth finders you want to get rid of?

[vizwhiz]

Spacers look great! And a great idea for future needs...

[TIMBOAT2]

Thanks for the reply,
No rush for me, Family First!
Tim