Intro to the forum. S/V Rebel Yell, 1937 Joseph Uhl Schooner

[Rebel_Yell]

I've been a lurker on this forum for close a long time and thought I'd share my experience with any who are interested. A hearty thanks to all who contribute to making this forum enlightening, entertaining, and thought provoking!

About a year ago I purchased my first sailboat. Call me crazy, but my choice was a 76yr old woody with a laundry list of deferred maintenance projects. None of the projects have been too extensive, except for a complete rewire of the electrics and the haul out, which turned out to be more $ than expected. The initial cost was low and I expected to encounter significant additional cost in restoration and outfitting for a 3-4 month cruise from California to Mississippi where I am from. With a total of around $50k spent, the boat is nearly ready to cruise. I plan to finish the restoration from keel up, leaning on the knowledge of experienced shipwrights and seamen in my hometown and through forums like this one. I feel that this old schooner I've found will be a welcome addition to the fleet of wooden schooners in the Gulf of Mexico, which has been decimated by hurricanes over the years.

The positives are: triple planked mahogany planking over sawed oak frames make the hull amazingly strong, a coating of pitch between the layers of planking have helped preserved the condition of the planks/fasteners and prevented nearly all rot, excellent high quality mahogany joinery throughout the interior, the engine is a 1953 Detroit 2-v71 which is very easy to work on and runs great excepting it's very loud, newish standing rigging, and good solid masts.
The negatives have proved either insignificant, like needing hoses replaced, rig tuned, updated safety signals, and other basic needs; or not critical to functionality such as topside paint chipping and deck waterproofing.
Much of the necessary cruising equipment was already aboard and I've collected the rest of the required spares and gear over the course of the past year. I have gained an enormous amount of knowledge and have a new found respect for those who successfully navigate long distances. I still feel like I have an enormous amount to learn.

I'll be posting a link to my website and sat tracker page here as soon as the site is finished. Feel free to post any advice or comments that come to mind.

Fair winds,
Zach M.

[Neo]

Welcome aboard, Rebel. Who designed her?

[tropicalescape]

You have made a bad mistake buying that boat ,give it to me and all will be forgiven!! good luck and fair winds friend ,thats a cool old boat you have there...

[rebel heart]

Another Rebel! Beautiful boat man.

[boatman61]

Sweet boat amigo... Welcome to CF

[brutb]

All good sailors love a nice wooden schooner. Keep us updated on your progress....cheers

[Cruiser2B]

Very salty looking vessel, love those old schooners. Congrats

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Zach M.

[Mike Vogdes]

Nice... You are a brave salty soul, welcome.

[johnmcntsh]

Beautiful!!! Fair Winds and calm seas, Captain,

John
,

[Astrid]

Lovely.

[HappyMdRSailor]

She's a BEAUT Zach!

CA Native currently living in MS... Can't wait for your website and tracking info....

[bobconnie]

Now thats a fine staysail schooner right there !! Sweet!! We look forward to seeing her when yall get home !! Good sailing to ya !!

[carlylelk]

Originally Posted by brutb

All good sailors love a nice wooden schooner. Keep us updated on your progress....cheers

Especially when it's someone else's boat!

[Rebel_Yell]

*********Update**********

-Just finished rewiring the electrical and replacing batteries and charging equipment on schedule for a Dec 16th departure from San Pedro, CA. First crew member arrives on the 14th and another the next day.

Sat tracker
https://share.delorme.com/RebelYell

Web blog
www.rebelyelladventures.com

I'm also writing a documentary.

Fair Winds,
Zach