Amateur couple rebuilds salvage cruiser

[Cashelmore]

Wonder how this will turn out....

 

[Zonker]

I've watched a few episodes. They are sort of doing it right (removing the molded tabs in the keel grid and then re-glassing). Amusing to see how much Plexus never bonded to the hull.

But holy shit what a lot of really unpleasant work. They had to disassemble the main cabin interior, and drop the keel. At the end of the day do you really trust the work you've done?

 

[slap]

I've watched a few episodes. They are sort of doing it right (removing the molded tabs in the keel grid and then re-glassing). Amusing to see how much Plexus never bonded to the hull.

But holy shit what a lot of really unpleasant work. They had to disassemble the main cabin interior, and drop the keel. At the end of the day do you really trust the work you've done?

If the plexus isn't bonding properly, you might trust your work over what the factory did......

 

[MauiPunter]

I kinda thought they were nuts and would have no idea what they are doing at first, but watching their approach and progress I kinda changed my mind.  While they are definitely nuts, they seem to be approaching this project correctly and I think they will get a good result in the end.  I am enjoying the progress.  It's a lot of boat for newbie sailors.  Will be interesting.

 

[Rain Man]

I love watching stuff like this.  Makes the boat issues I'm dealing with seem puny and insignificant.  My biggest problem at the moment is probably their smallest one.  

 

[alphafb552]

As mentioned in one of their earlier episodes, they already bought, restored and sailed a smaller boat (24' or so), they've converted a bus into a campervan to live in, and have been working towards the goal of sailing around the world for a few years already.

So it would appear they dove into this project with their eyes wide open and are not afraid to put in the hard work and do things right.

2 things from the videos: I'm following them mostly out of curiosity to see how badly this boat had been fucked up. They seem to discover a lot of voids and delaminations in the factory original layup, which is worrying, but the way the first repair was done after the initial grounding is absolutely diabolical! Fiberglass layup over original gelcoat, liberal applications of bondo to cover the gaping space between the frame and the hull, etc.

Second thing is, I'm not sure what story they are trying to tell with their videos up to this point. The technical information is not very in depth till now, but they're not really going  all in down the 'look at us cute folks leading the insta-life' route -  at least  not for the time being...

 

[b6sfull]

As mentioned in one of their earlier episodes, they already bought, restored and sailed a smaller boat (24' or so), they've converted a bus into a campervan to live in, and have been working towards the goal of sailing around the world for a few years already.

So it would appear they dove into this project with their eyes wide open and are not afraid to put in the hard work and do things right.

2 things from the videos: I'm following them mostly out of curiosity to see how badly this boat had been fucked up. They seem to discover a lot of voids and delaminations in the factory original layup, which is worrying, but the way the first repair was done after the initial grounding is absolutely diabolical! Fiberglass layup over original gelcoat, liberal applications of bondo to cover the gaping space between the frame and the hull, etc.

Second thing is, I'm not sure what story they are trying to tell with their videos up to this point. The technical information is not very in depth till now, but they're not really going  all in down the 'look at us cute folks leading the insta-life' route -  at least  not for the time being...

Also following these guys with special interest as I am considering purchasing a boat that had a hard grounding.  Fixed by a competent yard.  I have the yard invoice submitted to insurance company.... very expensive.   Yard mentioned they also repaired/rebonded voids found from the factory build.  This must be a common discovery when digging into the grid.  That is scary for sure.  I am feeling confident that this boat is stronger, stiffer etc than the factory built boat.  
These kids should experience the sane outcome...... I did cringe when the keel was removed though.....more grinding work ahead for these guys.... 

 

[Al Paca]

Can she make French toast?

 

[Israel Hands]

I'm original owner of a well-put-together '80s Beneteau. But I wouldn't consider sailing it across oceans.  1) unprotected spade rudder. 2) bolted-on keel.

 

[Ed Lada]

I love watching stuff like this.  Makes the boat issues I'm dealing with seem puny and insignificant.  My biggest problem at the moment is probably their smallest one.  

I cried because I had no wallet.  

Until I met a man who had no money.

Or something like that anyway.

 

[justsomeguy!]

Can she make French toast?

And nobody's mentioned the man-bun.

 

[alphafb552]

Can she make French toast?

Hasn't yet...

 

[alphafb552]

... 2) bolted-on keel.

To be fair, most keels are bolted on, the question is, what are they actually bolted TO...

 

[longy]

Lots of enthusiasm, not a lot of knowledge. They will be cleaning grinding dust out of the boat for the rest of their lives.

 

[Rain Man]

If they aren't in a hurry and can work on it every day, they'll get it done eventually.  I wonder what their source of income is?  They are going to need truckloads of dollars to complete this project.

 

[basketcase]

We should introduce them to squeaky. 

 

[alphafb552]

If they aren't in a hurry and can work on it every day, they'll get it done eventually.  I wonder what their source of income is?  They are going to need truckloads of dollars to complete this project.

He's a flight instructor, so I guess there's some occasional money in that - besides they have been living frugally for years now, so might have a nice little nest egg

And who knows, maybe even filthy rich parents?

 

[Rasputin22]

Lots of enthusiasm, not a lot of knowledge. They will be cleaning grinding dust out of the boat for the rest of their lives.

Grinding dust is easy to get rid of once the refurb is done. You just sink the boat and all the nasty dust goes away on the next tide! Almost did that myself... 

 

[steele]

I have also been impressed with the progress so far. The seem intent on grinding gelcoat out of areas that perhaps could be left alone, like the tops of stringers, but probabably better to prep too much rather than not enough. 

I wonder how they plan the repair itself. It is a big, heavy, damaged, under built, and complex boat. Getting a marine engineer involved would be good. The other option is just to way overdo it and not worry about the added weight of many layers of cloth and epoxy. Since it is a cruiser, and most of the repair is below the waterline, I suspect that will be what happens.