Sorry, I haven't posted in a while regarding this. Here is what i have learned thus far:
1. If you want to show progress, hire someone to take pics. (I am too tired at the end of the day to do it.)
2. If you are going to do some of the work on the boat, move to where the boat is. (I am too tired to make the drive every weekend.)
3. If you don't move to where the boat is, plan on buying a new car. I have put over 12K on the range rover and didn't really want to buy a new car while doing boat work. (too tired to buy a new one, and too old to do the oil changes, cant get under car after sanding every weekend on boat cause back hurts).
4. If you say your budget is X, then figure 3 times X and have someone else keep the records of what was spent. (I'm too tired to count it all up)
5. Hire someone to type all this because I am too tired. My fingers hurt from all the sanding, they are dried out from the paint thinner, and I broke one finger when the pilot house door fell over.
So now that is off my chest (did I say I'm too tired?) In all seriousness I haven't taken nearly the photos I should have and will probably be disappointed because of that when we are done. But here is what we have been doing since October:
- painting entire boat (using AlexSeal, snow white)
- replaced all windows (did all this myself, boy what a job.)
- while I was at it, decided to replace portholes, got really stupid and decided to make the master stateroom portholes bigger. (Did this myself)
- built cabinets on the rear deck to be permanently placed beside salon doors. Built them, fiber glassed them, used a high build primer and gave them to the paint guys to finish and install on boat.
- building fishbox and live well for cockpit
- removing all woodwork and refinishing myself. using West systems (3-5 coats) and going over that with 3-5 coats of clear AlexSeal for UV protection.
- redid the dodger boards and added teak trim. One was split in half where we were hit a couple of years ago by another boat. had taken them off and now getting them painted and put back on.
- GalleyMaid winch is removed and has been sent to GalleyMaid for a complete re-chrome job
- Rayline Spot light has been removed and sent to Jim Polishing for a complete re-chrome job. I have probably spnet more hours researching how to rebuild the light than anything else. Call me if you need sources for parts. I may be slow in returning emails cause I'm too tired.
- New teak decks in cockpit, rear deck and the front deck section over the galley
- New teak covering boards
- New windscreen for flybridge is being fabricated
- One of the neatest things I am doing is adding LEDs to the boat. This past weekend I routed a 3/4" wide by 1/4" groove in the bottom of the handrails in which a LED light strip is being placed. We are able to route the wiring right down thru the stanchion into the engine room and have a wireless remote control to turn them on/off.
- While we are at it we decided to add LEDs to the side decks. I had to come up with a way to make this look good and two weekends ago built a mock-up on the starbord side to get an idea. it came out really well and now they shop is working on that.
- While we are at it, they have ground off all the stipple finish under the hardtop and are making it smooth. I am glad I'm not doing this, well worth it to pay someone else.
- Big project are we are adding the flybridge seating modification (see other thread) and adding the dinghy supports and a new fully hydraulic davit. I met with the stainless steel fabricator last week and we are waiting for the stainless pipe to be delivered.
- Designing and installing a complete information system to monitor boat systems and provide entertainment. This will be completed after she gets back to dock.
Items regarding the recent questions:
-We did the bottom epoxy job in 2012, the best money I ever spent. i will post a pic of when we pulled the boat out in October. 4 years and the bottom paint and bottom looks good.
-We thought about underwater lights but decided we didn't want any more holes in the hull.
-As far as the interior, the boat was really in good shape when we got her in 2012. The previous owner had just completed a kitchen renovation spending 16K. We really only replaced the bed coverings and shades, linens that type of thing. i have a couple of photos (poor quality) that I can post. i cannot get in boat right now as everything is taped up. PM me and i will send interior photos later.
-I am afraid that as a result of changing windows, I constructed new interior porthole covers and finished them in a high gloss, my wife likes that a lot which may lead to redoing the interior woodwork. The original finish from the factory is a satin.
I am designing, managing and doing quite a bit of the work myself. Actually having a lot of fun, but should have done this when I was 31 and not 51. Also cannot say enough good things about the guys doing the work for me in the shop. They are really good and open to ideas. I will post some pics, many which may be a repost in other threads but will sorta give a timeline of what is taking place
