
Back yard work area
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This is a collection of photos
that are
categorized by subject/content that may be helpful for anyone
working on a boat re-build or considering taking on a project of
that nature. (links are near bottom of page)
Many of these pages have my opinions on how I do various things on
boats in the yard or at sea.
As is always the case, sailors are very opinionated and that
certainly includes myself. However, I am fortunate to have spent a
number of years cruising in three different boats and so I base my
opinions on my experience as well as what I have observed other
serious cruisers doing.
Although we are now
into our fourth year of this project (January 2012) not all of that
time was spent working on our boat.
As we all know, Life has a way of taking you places you least
expect.
Health issues, family issues and financial issues all have a way of
diverting you from your goal.
Building or rebuilding a boat can be very frustrating and it is easy
to become side-tracked by other, more rewarding paths. I know this
is the reason we see so many very nice boats sitting in yards
unfinished. The time, the money and in many instances, the lack of
immediate gratification after accomplishing one phase, then looking
at the huge lists of yet more ongoing work of which seems so
monumental and frustrating becomes too overwhelming.
As of the posting of this web page, I am fortunate to be able to
call this project 'my full time job'. I spend seven to eight hours a
day, five to six days a week, working on nothing but Flying Cloud.
For the last eight months or so, I have been working toward freeing
myself of other jobs or projects that keep me away from Flying
Cloud.
During the last four years, she has never been out of our thoughts
for going cruising. So while still earning a living we started
collecting most of what we needed to put the boat in the condition
we wanted. We stock-piled gear, sails, paint, resins and cloth,
lumber and just about anything we anticipated would be needed. I did
not want to stop working on her in order to earn enough money to
purchase what we need.
We are finally
there and can see the light at the end of this very long tunnel.
I might mention too, that Flying Cloud IS our home and will be for
many years to come. She is not just a toy to us. She is our home and
magic carpet that can take us anywhere we decide to go. So we want
to make her exactly the way we want in hopes she will not need a lot
of attention for a few years.
The following links
will take you to various phases of this monumental project.
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Working on her in Mazatlan
This section is
where we repower and take advantage of some local talent for other
projects. New stainless galley and complete engine room clean-up.
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Making access to the engine room
thru the cockpit floor.
The cockpit had to be opened up to remove
the engine
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Replacing the cabin windows
We took a different approach to the windows and/or storm covers
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Re-doing the bottom..
Blisters,
blisters and over 30 years of repairs.
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Painting Flying Cloud
Doing an AwlGrip paint
job on Flying Cloud
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Updated September 8,
2013
Building a Westport
Dinghy
Two attempts at
getting the right dinghy to fit Flying Cloud.
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Replacing the rusted out mast support
The original steel mast step had completely dissolved into a pile of
rust |
V-berth, chain
locker, bow thruster and Forward Head
Added a bunk
above the v-berth for the grandkids. The bow-thruster will be very
handy in tight quarters
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Mods to Main
Salon.....
New table design,
overhead storage, more storage under floor and new hardwood
flooring. Solid fuel "Tiny Tot" heater.
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Galley upgrades
New all
stainless galley top. Addition of bar/island with fridge and more
storage
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Pilot House and Sea Hood
Added a
sea-hood sort of compartment for all deck storage forward of the
cockpit
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Aft Cabin
Interior
Solid fuel heater, added storage and complete re-do of the aft head.
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Updated September 8,
2013
Aft Cabin
Exterior Storage
A place for everything on deck atop the aft cabin. Propane locker
and spare anchor storage
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Main
Cabin Ceiling
and storage
Overhead storage for
cabin doors, drop boards and bug screens.
Plus.. insulation
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Updated September 8,
2013
Rigging - Spars and Bowsprit
All standing
rigging is replaced. The bowsprit was removed and new anchor system
install along with teak grate
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Hull/Deck Joint and new cap rails
Deck joint
was redone and reinforced. Then the bulwarks were raised 3 inches
higher. A double plank wale-strake and rub rail added and new cover
boards.
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Fore
Hatch Mods
Removed the old Lexan
center, added teak (non-skid) and installed two opening hatches.
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Work for our customers.
Other boats we have
worked on. Painting, repair and graphics
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Repainting
a boat
Tips on how
to paint a boat. Preparation, glass repairs, primers, top coats and
application
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Updated March 7, 2014
New
Chain-Plates and rigging
A different
approach to chain-plates for the Freeport...click
here |
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