53c like no other

[rtrafford]

I just viewed all of your photos. Magnificent is what comes to mind. I don't want to know how much you have invested, I can see you love your yacht. My neighbors all hate being berthed near me because I cause them to keep improving there boats. I know for certain I do not want to be berthed next to you. You're the Jones I could not keep up with.

I can't keep up with me, either. My love for the projects gets the best of me far too often...but in the end, what it boils down to is that I want to know what I'm standing on, every aspect of her, when I'm out of sight of land in rough seas...and I don't like to fix things twice.

This doesn't mean that I farm everything out to the greatest reputations. I find ways myself to keep the budget in check, but when it comes down to integrity of workmanship or reliability, I don't second guess doing the right thing.

The number one most-overlooked aspect of anyone that has ever reviewed her, gone through her, and tried to digest the difference between my 53c and one they saw a few cities over at half the price, is the amount of fiberglass and structural upgrades that went into her. The stringers were opened up and improved/stiffened/reinforced without the internal metal strips that Hatt used. No outboard stringer step-downs at the bulkheads. No 3/4" plywood intermediate bulkheads. No fiberglass tabbing. No 1x4 "floating" floor structure up forward. No odors through ER access hatches in the salon.

She's really built, and now she's really painted to match. I'm a nut. But even if sold she's a boat I'll follow for the rest of my life, and she'll outlive a few more generations along the way.

The Burger is receiving similar treatment, although I don't need to do anything to their structure. She's strong. Replaced the expansion HVAC systems with Technicold chillers and air handlers. Updating all electrical and plumbing. Fantastic electronics and networking tied in with the AV systems so that every TV is a navigational repeater. Pulled out the guts of the Naiads and replaced with new everything (anyone need some parts for Quantum?), and now the carpenter is hard at work getting her interior ready for finishes with new layout modifications and a new galley.

I can't wait for her to come together cosmetically. I know the guts are in order.

 

[rtrafford]

 

[rtrafford]

 

[rtrafford]

 

[rtrafford]

 

[jim rosenthal]

If you want to see people do insane things and get memorable results, this is a great site to hang around. Your boat is magnificent. I hope you post a lot of photos of the new one as well.

 

[Toolsntoys]

What a beautiful set of stairs. Really fits the boat and provides a touch of eligance Nicely done.

 

[capttonyf]

The boat is awesome, I'm surprised I've never seen it. It's in Fort Lauderdale correct? Our little 45 sits behind our condo on the 15th street canal just past the Police boats and boat ramps. I would eventually like to maybe repower and paint ours as well. It's just right now everything is running good, paint still shines when clean, and it's overall holding up pretty good right now. The only issue is the tower is starting to dull a little so I have to work on that if anyone has any suggestions.

My only question is with everything you did to the boat from bottom to top, and top to bottom, how come you used the plastic cabinet doors in the cockpit. Please don't take that the wrong way it's not meant as an insult. It's just you did such a wonderful job, and spent so much money on making everything exactly how you wanted and perfect, those BOW Plastic doors look out of place. I figured you would have had custom doors fabricated since you went so in depth with everything else. Don't get me wrong the doors are fine for a normal boat and a quick fix but you boat is in no way normal.

Beautiful old 53 though, I'm sure your proud of her.

Tony

 

[rtrafford]

She's been up in the NE for the past few years, just returned.

The starboard doors in the cockpit were merely placeholders for cabinets to-be-built. The door under the sink was actually planned as a location for an ice maker. Not all of the work in the build was completed in this regard. To each his own in terms of style, substance...I just never got there as I din't fish her hard up north. I landed a few tuna off Block, but wasn't an active fisherman as I simply didn't have the time.

Next owner can fit her with custom cabinets, an ice shaver, whatever they want. I used the temporary doors cut out small so that bigger units could be fit into place. There's already an ice box built into the deck fore of the fighting chair where the original live well used to live, so an ice shaver would be an easy add. Slane full length fish boxes are in place, and a live well/fish box in the transom. The tuna door was rebuilt to be a single action process rather than having to flip the coaming to open her up.

 

[rtrafford]

If you want to see people do insane things and get memorable results, this is a great site to hang around. Your boat is magnificent. I hope you post a lot of photos of the new one as well.

Insane, alright. There's more than a million dollars worth of boat right there....

 

[capttonyf]

She's been up in the NE for the past few years, just returned.

The starboard doors in the cockpit were merely placeholders for cabinets to-be-built. The door under the sink was actually planned as a location for an ice maker. Not all of the work in the build was completed in this regard. To each his own in terms of style, substance...I just never got there as I din't fish her hard up north. I landed a few tuna off Block, but wasn't an active fisherman as I simply didn't have the time.

Next owner can fit her with custom cabinets, an ice shaver, whatever they want. I used the temporary doors cut out small so that bigger units could be fit into place. There's already an ice box built into the deck fore of the fighting chair where the original live well used to live, so an ice shaver would be an easy add. Slane full length fish boxes are in place, and a live well/fish box in the transom. The tuna door was rebuilt to be a single action process rather than having to flip the coaming to open her up.

Makes sense... That's why I asked.
Thanks

Tony

 

[DealMan]

Very nice boat.

 

[34Hatt]

Wow she is looking better than EVER..


So he sprayed the tower also? Did he clear on top of the white also?

I know you said he cleared the hull she looks fantastic.

Keep it and enjoy her

 

[rtrafford]

Wow she is looking better than EVER..


So he sprayed the tower also? Did he clear on top of the white also?

I know you said he cleared the hull she looks fantastic.

Keep it and enjoy her

I might. There isn't much left to do to her other than focusing on fishing gear/systems. She's ready, better than any other in her class. Not even close.

 

[34Hatt]

I might. There isn't much left to do to her other than focusing on fishing gear/systems. She's ready, better than any other in her class. Not even close.

Do you know if he cleared on top of the white I was thinking of doing clear on mine but Awlgrip says not to on top of light colors?


Focusing on fishing gear is always the Fun part

 

[rtrafford]

No clear on top of white. Per Awlgrip. But is doesn't need it and don't think I'd want any more shine.

 

[rsmith]

Wasn't your boat the one from Crackerboys in Ft Pierce?

 

[34Hatt]

No clear on top of white. Per Awlgrip. But is doesn't need it and don't think I'd want any more shine.

Thats why I asked then shine looks Incredible which is good matches the rest of it!

 

[rtrafford]

Wasn't your boat the one from Crackerboys in Ft Pierce?

I believe so. She was in Miami when I found her.

 

[rtrafford]