First, let me apologize in advance for the length of this post. I am new at all of this and I really need some guidance and, perhaps, a little encouragement. I'll try to set out my questions at the end of this lengthy post.
I bought a 1985 Ericson 26 last August. My first boat - and she's a lovely little one at that. I spent the fall and winter undertaking and completing a multitude of projects, including: rebuilding the heat exchanger, new GFCI AC receptacle, new Xantrex multistage battery charger, new upholstery throughout, new Class D DSC VHF radio, new Garmin GPSMAP 478 chartplotter, new galley foot pump, new cowl vents, new Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot, new blower, new Whale Gusher bilge and holding tank pumps, new Raritan PHII head, new Raymarine ST60 speed and depth transducers and instruments, new Windex, new AGM batteries (starting and house), new bottom paint, all new standing rigging, all new running rigging, new lifelines, and probably a bunch of other stuff that I've forgotten about.
I mention all this work because it illustrates my commitment to this little boat, and perhaps because it reveals a bit of a personality quirk on my part.
Before anyone asks: yes we've been sailing her (or at least learning to sail on her) and we're having a blast.
With all the work that's been done, she's in great shape. I have plans to install a new cabin sole (I've read all the posts) and I'll be using the whole EZ Smart Woodworking System by Eurekazone Inc. (www.eurekazone.com) but that's a matter for a separate post. I mention it now because I think that's a system that is worth checking out. When the new sole is installed, the interior will seriously look like new - though it will not be as pretty as a Martin King boat (sadly, his standards are unattainable for me).
That just leaves a few exterior cosmetic issues. Well, last weekend I went out to do a few gelcoat repairs, mostly around the port toe rail which showed some cracking and crazing in a few areas. To my horror, my delicate sanding of those repairs revealed that my gelcoat, at least on the toe rail, has had its very last gasp. I can only assume that a few decades of cutting and polishing had taken their toll.
I was really quite distressed at having made the boat look worse than before I started. I think it's going to drive me crazy to leave it like this. I guess I knew in the back of my mind that eventually I'd need a paint job. "Eventually" turned out to be "now".
Philosophically, I think I need to forge ahead and tackle this problem. I subscribe to the view that when you stop being proactive, or at least stop responding to problems when they occur, that's when the whole thing can start to crumble on you. In essence, the paint job is the "next thing" that needs to be done on the boat. And if I don't do it, the work that I've already done becomes of questionable value, and it becomes hard to justify making the effort towards "ship-shape and Bristol fashion".
So I call a local painter. He says that Awlgripping the topsides could be about $5,000, but the deck is another story. He said that the deck would cost at least three or four times what it costs to do the topsides. Essentially, he told me flat out that it can't be done for a boat of my age (meaning the economics just don't make sense). I liked his forthrightness, and he's right.
So now I'm looking at taking this project on myself. I'm quite unsure of my ability to tackle this problem. Time is an issue, mostly. I can certainly do some weekend work, and my wife and I could probably take a week off too, but I'm not sure that's enough. Out in the Pacific Northwest, weather is an issue too. I sure don't like the idea of interrupting our sailing, but if this job is going to get done, it's going to have to happen in the summer. And if not this summer, then when?
I've examined my access to all the deck hardware. I'm pretty sure that I can get everything off without too much difficulty, though there are some notable exceptions. For example, the port pushpit fittings and the port stern cleat seem utterly impossible to access. I suppose I could leave those fitting in and paint around them, but I'd like to take the opportunity to rebed, and I wouldn't mind new stainless cleats to replace the old aluminum cleats. The sea hood looks like a bear, and I'd probably leave that in. However, if I leave the sea hood in, I'm not sure that I'd be able to remove the Ronstan traveler (unless it is affixed only with lag bolts). The grab rails, I think, are just lag bolted into the FRP "lumps" molded in to the cabin top, though I'm not sure. The exterior rails are definitely not affixed to the grab rails in the cabin below.
I'd have to remove the rub rail, which is a good thing because it really looks terrible. I've read the posts on this topic, and it looks like I'd be able to use the same Taco aluminum extrusion and fittings that Geoff Johnson used (see: thread, "Rubrail Replacement").
I also think that I'd get a pro to take measurements of my dodger so that it can be re-skinned. Since I'm painting, I'd probably want to fill all the screw holes from the existing dodger's attachment points. Because I'll soon need a new dodger anyway, I might as well get this done now as I definitely don't want to be trying to fill screw holes after doing all the painting work.
I actually think I'd be able to remove all the deck hardware, filling the reamed holes with thickened epoxy, in one solid weekend with a single helper. I would leave in the hatches, the mast step organizer, the sea hood, the traveler, and probably the pushpit and stern cleats. I'd leave the rig up, so I'd also have to work around shroud fittings too.
One of my biggest worries is having a bunch of open holes in the boat. There will be holes around water, pump-out and diesel deck fittings (which I plan to just "lift" out so I can work around them); holes where I've removed cowl vents, and massive holes in the cockpit where I've removed the engine instrument panel coaming box and the speed and depth instruments. I guess I'd just have to rig tarps all over the place. Other holes from deck fittings I'd leave filled with epoxy and ready for re-drilling.
I'd plan on doing all of the deck work (including sanding, priming and painting) while floating in my slip. I'm partial to Interlux Perfection only because the product seems readily available and I think that PS rated it as highly as Awlgrip (or so I have read). It might be easier to work with too.
When that's done, I'd haul out and do the topsides, finishing off with the installation of a new rubrail.
OK, so here are my questions:
1. As you can infer from my post, I'm pretty unsure of myself when it comes to a project of this magnitude. Can I do this? Am I being realistic or do you see "pie in the sky" thinking here?
2. Am I completely nuts to think that I could finish the deck over the course of about 9 days (two full weekends plus a week off work)?
3. Any thoughts about removing the pushpit and stern cleats given the apparent impossibility of accessing the nuts? Geez, I even thought about installing two or three cheesy looking access plates at the back of the cockpit so I could access these fittings. Any comments about removing the traveler, sea hood and grab rails?
4. Any thoughts about repainting the deck while the boat's in its slip? Should I panic about rain while the boat has a number of large holes exposed?
5. My biggest worries are about the lack of time, working conditions, weather, and the fear that I might start something that's actually way over my head. Any words of wisdom here would be welcomed.
I know these questions are a little inane. That's why I'm a "newbie"...
I bought a 1985 Ericson 26 last August. My first boat - and she's a lovely little one at that. I spent the fall and winter undertaking and completing a multitude of projects, including: rebuilding the heat exchanger, new GFCI AC receptacle, new Xantrex multistage battery charger, new upholstery throughout, new Class D DSC VHF radio, new Garmin GPSMAP 478 chartplotter, new galley foot pump, new cowl vents, new Simrad TP10 Tillerpilot, new blower, new Whale Gusher bilge and holding tank pumps, new Raritan PHII head, new Raymarine ST60 speed and depth transducers and instruments, new Windex, new AGM batteries (starting and house), new bottom paint, all new standing rigging, all new running rigging, new lifelines, and probably a bunch of other stuff that I've forgotten about.
I mention all this work because it illustrates my commitment to this little boat, and perhaps because it reveals a bit of a personality quirk on my part.
Before anyone asks: yes we've been sailing her (or at least learning to sail on her) and we're having a blast.
With all the work that's been done, she's in great shape. I have plans to install a new cabin sole (I've read all the posts) and I'll be using the whole EZ Smart Woodworking System by Eurekazone Inc. (www.eurekazone.com) but that's a matter for a separate post. I mention it now because I think that's a system that is worth checking out. When the new sole is installed, the interior will seriously look like new - though it will not be as pretty as a Martin King boat (sadly, his standards are unattainable for me).
That just leaves a few exterior cosmetic issues. Well, last weekend I went out to do a few gelcoat repairs, mostly around the port toe rail which showed some cracking and crazing in a few areas. To my horror, my delicate sanding of those repairs revealed that my gelcoat, at least on the toe rail, has had its very last gasp. I can only assume that a few decades of cutting and polishing had taken their toll.
I was really quite distressed at having made the boat look worse than before I started. I think it's going to drive me crazy to leave it like this. I guess I knew in the back of my mind that eventually I'd need a paint job. "Eventually" turned out to be "now".
Philosophically, I think I need to forge ahead and tackle this problem. I subscribe to the view that when you stop being proactive, or at least stop responding to problems when they occur, that's when the whole thing can start to crumble on you. In essence, the paint job is the "next thing" that needs to be done on the boat. And if I don't do it, the work that I've already done becomes of questionable value, and it becomes hard to justify making the effort towards "ship-shape and Bristol fashion".
So I call a local painter. He says that Awlgripping the topsides could be about $5,000, but the deck is another story. He said that the deck would cost at least three or four times what it costs to do the topsides. Essentially, he told me flat out that it can't be done for a boat of my age (meaning the economics just don't make sense). I liked his forthrightness, and he's right.
So now I'm looking at taking this project on myself. I'm quite unsure of my ability to tackle this problem. Time is an issue, mostly. I can certainly do some weekend work, and my wife and I could probably take a week off too, but I'm not sure that's enough. Out in the Pacific Northwest, weather is an issue too. I sure don't like the idea of interrupting our sailing, but if this job is going to get done, it's going to have to happen in the summer. And if not this summer, then when?
I've examined my access to all the deck hardware. I'm pretty sure that I can get everything off without too much difficulty, though there are some notable exceptions. For example, the port pushpit fittings and the port stern cleat seem utterly impossible to access. I suppose I could leave those fitting in and paint around them, but I'd like to take the opportunity to rebed, and I wouldn't mind new stainless cleats to replace the old aluminum cleats. The sea hood looks like a bear, and I'd probably leave that in. However, if I leave the sea hood in, I'm not sure that I'd be able to remove the Ronstan traveler (unless it is affixed only with lag bolts). The grab rails, I think, are just lag bolted into the FRP "lumps" molded in to the cabin top, though I'm not sure. The exterior rails are definitely not affixed to the grab rails in the cabin below.
I'd have to remove the rub rail, which is a good thing because it really looks terrible. I've read the posts on this topic, and it looks like I'd be able to use the same Taco aluminum extrusion and fittings that Geoff Johnson used (see: thread, "Rubrail Replacement").
I also think that I'd get a pro to take measurements of my dodger so that it can be re-skinned. Since I'm painting, I'd probably want to fill all the screw holes from the existing dodger's attachment points. Because I'll soon need a new dodger anyway, I might as well get this done now as I definitely don't want to be trying to fill screw holes after doing all the painting work.
I actually think I'd be able to remove all the deck hardware, filling the reamed holes with thickened epoxy, in one solid weekend with a single helper. I would leave in the hatches, the mast step organizer, the sea hood, the traveler, and probably the pushpit and stern cleats. I'd leave the rig up, so I'd also have to work around shroud fittings too.
One of my biggest worries is having a bunch of open holes in the boat. There will be holes around water, pump-out and diesel deck fittings (which I plan to just "lift" out so I can work around them); holes where I've removed cowl vents, and massive holes in the cockpit where I've removed the engine instrument panel coaming box and the speed and depth instruments. I guess I'd just have to rig tarps all over the place. Other holes from deck fittings I'd leave filled with epoxy and ready for re-drilling.
I'd plan on doing all of the deck work (including sanding, priming and painting) while floating in my slip. I'm partial to Interlux Perfection only because the product seems readily available and I think that PS rated it as highly as Awlgrip (or so I have read). It might be easier to work with too.
When that's done, I'd haul out and do the topsides, finishing off with the installation of a new rubrail.
OK, so here are my questions:
1. As you can infer from my post, I'm pretty unsure of myself when it comes to a project of this magnitude. Can I do this? Am I being realistic or do you see "pie in the sky" thinking here?
2. Am I completely nuts to think that I could finish the deck over the course of about 9 days (two full weekends plus a week off work)?
3. Any thoughts about removing the pushpit and stern cleats given the apparent impossibility of accessing the nuts? Geez, I even thought about installing two or three cheesy looking access plates at the back of the cockpit so I could access these fittings. Any comments about removing the traveler, sea hood and grab rails?
4. Any thoughts about repainting the deck while the boat's in its slip? Should I panic about rain while the boat has a number of large holes exposed?
5. My biggest worries are about the lack of time, working conditions, weather, and the fear that I might start something that's actually way over my head. Any words of wisdom here would be welcomed.
I know these questions are a little inane. That's why I'm a "newbie"...
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