MacGregorSailors.com

Memorial Day weekend is the big boaters weekend as I am sure you all know, and I would like to show up in a freshly rebuilt boat. So the question is: Can I have it done and ready for May 25th weekend.

So to make a little contest I thought I would have a poll. Keep in mind that I do have a day job, the days are short this time of year, and I am doing all the work myself.

Here is where I am:
All hardware is removed from boat. Deck is separated from hull. Deck and hull have been washed with acetone to remove wax and mold release. Some repair to hull have been made but require more sanding.
The bottom has no blisters and some bottom paint left. I don't plan to do anything to the bottom this year.

Here's what I have left to do (or at least what I could think of):
Finish repairs to fiberglass and gelcoat. This includes one gouge in hull that is deep into the fiberglass. Also lots of gelcoat cracks.
sand repair areas. A couple of these are on complex curves and contour lines that take longer to make far with the surrounding areas.
Make necessary repairs and sand: front hatch, Main hatch cover, Pop top, Cockpit seat hatch. (Pop top will require the most work)
Prime 'to be painted areas'. (I will not need to prime nonskid or the bottom.)
More Sanding
More primer as needed.
More sanding
Paint white area
Paint red area on hull
Paint non-skid.

reinstall deck hardware, making repairs or replacing as I go.
Finish rudder repair. (rudder has been drying out for the past 3 months.)
Buy motor (this is a big one) I don't really want to buy new and finding a 6-10 hp can take some time.
Purchase new fixed spreaders
Make now bulkheads and head liner.
Make new cushions
Reinstall keel.
Install new keel winch
Install bow eye. Bow was repaired earlier but u-bolt has not yet been installed.
Cut new lexan for windows.
Clean and polish aluminum trim for windows and hull joint.
Attach deck to hull.
source, buy and install rubber rub trim.
New Wiring
Install new batteries.
Fix up the sink and install on custom slide that I will fabercate.
Make new teak for hatch cover.
New teak other places
Much, much more.

Better you than me......

I'm far too old for that list.

Good Luck,

Ken

I do not know you, but if you are like most people, enthusiasm wanes after a while. Now, if you are a compulsive workaholic, it's doable. One great incentive that you have given yourself is going public. It would be tough to throw in the towel with the "world" watching...Good luck!

Lloyd Franks wrote: It would be tough to throw in the towel with the "world" watching...Good luck!

Lloyd said it well...
Hey Pete...you're being watched...ha ha. So, no excuses now. I voted "yes"..."git' 'er done"

Have fun with the project. No reasons this shouldnt go well -- after all...boat projects are fun anyway.

Put me down for yes - doable and I have faith in you!!


One comment - I bought a kicker motor for my tender (and other boats) and found that the used market for reliable small HP motors sucked - people wanted 3/4 the new price for used motors - I ended up buying new on the internet

You used to be able to get a discount on marine motors on the 'model year' change but the trend is to do away with that.

Where did you get your boat? I have a couple of 24 ventures that I love . GOOD LUCK with your project.

Good luck with your project Pete. If I were in your shoes, the question would not be what day and date, but rather what year or if ever.

The aging process has given me such things as arthritis and back problems, and has robbed me of motivation. My brain keeps saying that I can do all these glorious things, but the body does not want to cooperate.

When you finish your project, if you still have energy left over, you are welcome to stop by and help me with my boat.

You can do it !
I did mine from start to finish in 4 months. I bought it in Tampa, FL in Feb,06 drove it home and went to work. I new with every step I was opening another can of worms, so I finally decided I should go all the way. I new if I slowed down, I might lose momentum, so I kept at it. It was one of the funnest things I've ever done. I was done and in the water by the second week of May, 06.

Heck yeah, you've set the goal, you've told everyone (which will help enable you) and you, obviously, have the passion.

No worries sir, she'll be a'floatin soon


Fairwinds

Bob Centers
s/v ENCORE
M26c
Augusta, GA

So, what's the progress Pete ?

OK so I have been away for a little while. Weather and lack of space/money has held up the project a bit. But not to worry the past couple weeks have been great. i moved to boat to my shop. I first moved the hull on its trailer. Then I put the deck on a flat bed trailer and took that to the shop. I did not want in at the shop for I was afraid it would just get in the way. But we're not seeing the bigger projects we normally see this time of year so what the heck. Anyways I painted the hull red and white. The deck is getting painted this week. By the weekend I should be ready to start mounting hardware. I also found a winch that I just happen to have laying around. its an exact match to the keel winch. So no need to worry about that. Also I went ahead and ordered a new Nisson 9.8hp motor. So motor is done. Pictures dont realy do it justice. It look very graney in the picture but in persone its perfict. I will get more when I get it out in the sunlight.

Looks Great!!!!!!

Looks great! You should be done on time. Did you spraypaint your boat or did you roll it on? I'm about to paint my Mac 25 and am concerned about the difficulty. God speed and remember - any day sailing is a day taken off our age.

I rolled it on. I used the one part interlux. I first primed it which may have added a lot of un nesscary sanding. I then tried to roll the finish coat on and then tip it off with a paint brush. But I ran into a problem, in that even the best brush from lowes is no good for this. Interlux recomends a badger hair brush for this and I frogot to order one. I ended up just going over it with a dry roller untill all the bubbles were gone. Seamed to work OK. But I would like to try the Badger brush next time.

I'll try the badger brush and let you know how it worked. Thanks.