All right. I am aware this is a large can of worms, that has been opened before. Ill preface by saying that I have taken in many of the threads on this topic here, and across the interweb. So I am asking for absolutely necessary additions not on my list. Items that I could potentially eliminate & re-allocate the time/money more efficiently, etc.
Ill paint with broad strokes, and would be happy to drill down to detail as people show interest.
Plan to start individual threads for certain projects.
For those that aren't aware I plan to sail extensively through out the Caribbean, with a mind towards an Atlantic crossing after a few months. So re-fit will be geared for permanent live aboard with blue water capability. I am a minimalist by nature, and I prioritize creature comforts behind sail-ability accordingly.
Obviously there are 1000 little things in between that will come up, while I shake it out this season, but I wanted to assign a budget and schedule to the major critical systems. I also recognize there are systems like a life raft that are just as important as the boat, but I think that could be an entire other thread. If you're still reading, thanks. Let the fun begin!
Ill paint with broad strokes, and would be happy to drill down to detail as people show interest.
Plan to start individual threads for certain projects.
For those that aren't aware I plan to sail extensively through out the Caribbean, with a mind towards an Atlantic crossing after a few months. So re-fit will be geared for permanent live aboard with blue water capability. I am a minimalist by nature, and I prioritize creature comforts behind sail-ability accordingly.
- Sails - Just ordered a new main (3 reefs)/120 furling Genoa from Mack, plan to order an asym & storm jib as well. This will come with all new running rigging before hitting the water this season as well.
- I have decided not to re-power with diesel, Personal preference & cost consideration. I am going to pull the A4 this weeknd, and tear it down to decide if it is worth letting my motor shop rebuild, or just replace. Any one pulled the A4 from the e29 before? have a diagram to show me how you rigged that job? I assume i can figure it out with some head scratching, my mast is not stepped so I have my boom available.
- atomic 3 blade prop, shaft, bearing, and drip-less seal.
- new foss rudder, replace the quadrants, bearings and re-enforce the tube as necessary while the rudder is dropped.
- re-do the plumbing as necessary, plan to follow the path of Jkenan with my lay out of the thru-hulls sea cocks as well as upgrading the cockpit drainage.
- I am going to have my yard soda blast the bottom, and then I will re-paint. All of this before I launch this spring. I know, i'm ambitious, but I want to sail and I can do the rest of the projects while launched.
- Electrical re-fit. I am going to re-wire the entire boat, todos LED lighting, multi function display and all the GPS/windage/depth/radar/AIS bells and whistles to go with it to bring it out of the 70's. Add an arch for the solar array, add the solar array, I plan to be 98% solar sufficient. Lack of real estate means I am going to have to be incredibly efficient/stingy with my electrical needs/design. I am still researching what the final communication system will look like. I am shying away from SSB, I think the wireless/satellite communication systems have come far enough to pick up where the
- Re-build/replace all hatches, portlights. Including converting the companionway hatch to one piece and re-enforcing both the hatch and the companion way it self, again in the footsteps of Jkenan.
- Miraculously, there is only one very small soft spot on the deck, in fact the entire boat is remarkably dry. So I will repair that spot and then repaint the deck.
- Convert to a propane grill/oven and add a propane system.
- Upgrade the water & fuel capacity with new tanks.
- New cushions/upholstery all the way around.
- The final job will be to have the boat pulled, and new chain plates installed just before I leave this fall. I have to have the mast stepped to get out of Chicago any ways so the timing works out, and to replace the chain plates will probably result in a need to re-paint the freeboard, which is why it is only getting the bottom job this fall. I will also replace the standing rigging when I re-step the mast.
- I have a auto helm already, and I would love to add a monitor or similar wind vane, but unless I come across a good deal on an used one, this upgrade is at the bottom of the priority list. That 5 grand is better spent on rum, on a sandy beach, in February.
Obviously there are 1000 little things in between that will come up, while I shake it out this season, but I wanted to assign a budget and schedule to the major critical systems. I also recognize there are systems like a life raft that are just as important as the boat, but I think that could be an entire other thread. If you're still reading, thanks. Let the fun begin!