Fix It and Sail Everything You Need to Know to Buy and Retore a Small Sailboat on a Shoestring

by Gilbert, Brian

• ISBN13: 9780071458092
• ISBN10: 0071458093
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-10
• Publisher: International Marine/Ragged Mountain Press

Summary

Yes, you can find the small, trailerable sailboat that's right for you, buy it for $2,000, $1,000, or less, restore it to pristine condition, and sail into the sunset. Budget sailor Brian Gilbert leads you through the entire process, from choosing a boat to setting off on your maiden voyage.

Author Biography

Brian Gilbert is a lifelong sailor who lived aboard a Catalina 27 for four years. As a young father with a modest budget, he bought a Venture 22 for $500. The photos of his restoration of that boat are truly inspirational. His sailing articles have appeared in Good Old Boat, Small Craft Advisor, and DIY Marine magazines.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	viii
Preface	1	(2)
Why Restore a Small Boat? Economics, Practical Considerations, and Having It Your Way	3	(11)
Reducing the Costs of Sailing
Cash Value
Emotional Reasons
Which Boat?
Physical Location of the Boat
The Self-Survey
Resources and Choices for the Small Boat Sailor: Books, Websites, Magazines, and a Look at a Few Boats	14	(16)
Where to Get good Information
My Short List of Commonly Available Boats to Restore
Cal	20	(5)
Cal	25
Oday	22	(1)
Catalina	22
Com-Pac	16	(6)
Pearson	22	(1)
Tanzer	22	(2)
Bristol	24
Irwin	23
MacGregors
Venture	21	(1)
Venture	22	(1)
MacGregor	23	(1)
(Venture of Newport)
MacGregor	24	(1)
(Venture Venture)	24	(1)
MacGregor	25	(1)
(Venture)	25	(5)
What I Finally Chose
Getting Ready: Safety, Tooling, and Setting Up Shop	30	(9)
Safety 1: Getting the Boat Home and Getting It Ready
Safety 2: Boat Restoration Without Restorative Surgery
Getting Tooled Up
Setting Up Shop
Getting Started: Restoration Strategies, Cleaning, and More	39	(40)
The Plan
Strip Search
Scraping the Exterior
About Epoxy and Fiberglass
Rebuilding the Keel
Moving Right Along: The Interior
Small Boat Wiring
Painting the Exterior
Bottom Paint
Painting the Deck
Hardware Mounting
Sealants
Boat Joinery and Woodworking: Materials, Techniques, and Procedures	79	(17)
Wood Choices
Marine Plywood and Alternatives
Adhesives and Fastenings
Techniques
Flotation
Marine Metalwork: Cost-Effective Solutions for the Small Sailboat	96	(12)
Simple Corrosion
Painting
Galvanizing
Surface Preparation
Electrolytic Rust Removal
Galvanic Corrosion
Electrolytic Corrosion
About Stainless
Marine Metal Fabrication
Welding Stainless
Fabricating without Welding
Canvaswork and Upholstery: Sewing Basics for Small Boats	108	(13)
Sewing Machines
Canvaswork
Upholstery
Odds and Ends
The Rig: Inspection, Repair, and Replacement	121	(12)
Standing Rigging Inspection and Repair
End Fittings
Restoring Tangs and Chainplates
Running Rigging
Mainsheet Traveler
Relocating the Winches
Replacing Halyard Cam Cleats
Replacing Jibsheet Lead Blocks
The Sails
Outboard Motors: A Cost-Effective Power Plant	133	(11)
About Outboards
Research
Evaluating a Used Motor
Buying Locally
Visual Checks
Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines . . .
Checking Compression
Principles of Operation
Regular Maintenance
Electric Outboards
Sea Trials and Commissioning: Finishing It All Up	144	(8)
Outfitting for Sailing
Electronic Equipment for Small Boats
The Payoff
Appendixes	152	(52)
A Replacement Rudder
Making Oars
Trailer Restoration
Costs to Restore a 1972 MacGregor Venture
Restoration Log
A Boat Restoration Photo Album
Restoration Resources
Index	204