Ta Fixe

[brookiesailor]

Ok the fun begins!

I went last weekend to the old owners house and picked up the dinghy and some sails as well as sail covers and other stuff. He is a super nice guy and I have struck up a friendship with him and his wife.

This weekend was down to business. At your all recommendation I started with cleaning... The boat is an hour and a half from my house and my recollection of what was on board failed me when I got there and realized I didn't have half the stuff I needed. But luckily I had some of the stuff and a plan. Saturday I only had a few hours, so it was removing trash, and out of date stuff and taking note of stuff that was there (I will have to figure out an inventory system...). Right now things are here there and everywhere.

Today I went back with cleaning supplies and simple tools. I had some things I wanted to bring home with me to work on, which I did. gave her a good wipe down and sweep. Then made my first trip to the devil...west marine as I hope to start doing wood work next weekend.

As I was alone it was up and down the ladder. It was blowing a hoolie, I was using a bucket to get things up and down and would have to wait for it to swing away from the boat to lower it. Then down the ladder and lower, fill and back up the ladder, pull it up. I actually really enjoyed it.

I do have one problem I am looking for a solution for. I am short. 5'3". the boat has a pullman berth with three drawers under. It was a struggle for me to get in today to clean. For some reason I didn't try this out before I bought it. Any suggestions?

I am paying to have the bottom blasted and redone. It is painful... I keep telling myself that I can do it myself, but there are other things I would rather spend my time doing. And yes it really needs to go all the way back. The supports pulled off layers of paint.

[Jim Cate]

I am paying to have the bottom blasted and redone. It is painful... I keep telling myself that I can do it myself, but there are other things I would rather spend my time doing. And yes it really needs to go all the way back. The supports pulled off layers of paint.

If the bottom needs to go back to bare gel coat, don't be beating yourself up! There is really no substitute for blasting to safely accomplish this task. Did it myself on our previous boat,, scraping off 17 years worth of hard bottom paint, using a 1 1/4 inch wide carbide scraper. 50 hours of back breaking labour and not such a great job at that... and I was only ~52 at the time. NEVER AGAIN!

At this stage of ownership, I think jobbing that out and spending your limited time doing other things is a wise move.

Jim

PS:

V

I do have one problem I am looking for a solution for. I am short. 5'3". the boat has a pullman berth with three drawers under. It was a struggle for me to get in today to clean. For some reason I didn't try this out before I bought it. Any suggestions?

Probably too late for growth hormones, so fabricating a small step seems in order!

[a64pilot]

For the bed, get a plastic collapsible stool.
My Wife uses ours to reach the hatch when it’s open and to get to the bottom of the fridge.

[JPA Cate]

@brookie:

As a stop gap measure, pull out the bottom drawer a bit, and stand on the "rails" to get all the way in. Or, buy a "dish mop" with a handle that will reach for you. You may find that you want one of those Rubbermaid steps, that it will get you up high enough. You may find it useful for cleaning the overhead, as well. (If the budget is tight, try looking at a thrift shop, sometimes they have them.)

Ann

[a64pilot]

Get the Rubbermaid step, it’s like a bucket.
Once you have one, you will be amazed how often you use it, and it folds flat and takes very little room.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

Get the Rubbermaid step, it’s like a bucket.
Once you have one, you will be amazed how often you use it, and it folds flat and takes very little room.

OK for use at rest, but for use at sea a permanent step seems a better choice to me. But sure, for the immediate use, the Rubbermaid step or equivalent will work and be handy for many other uses.

Jim

[brookiesailor]

I will have to check out the folding steps but agree that they would only work at anchor. I would have to rotate to the aft bunk and the sea berth in the cabin. I thought about a permanent step but couldn't locate a good place. the only place free was right in front in the picture of where I was standing and then I would have to swing like a monkey... That could be interesting for a family video through. the kids would love it.

Storage is always an issue.. Maybe a fold down step? that only comes down when getting into bed and tucks under mattress rest of time?

[Tayana42]

A folding mast step might do it for you.

[hpeer]

Yup, folding mast step, if it can fit, somewhere tonscrew it in. I’ve done that before.

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Dog-32803.../dp/B00DH42UVS

[JPA Cate]

Hi,, brookiesailor,

We had a v-berth that was too tall for me to get into easily on our previous Insatiable. What eventually happened was that Jim modified it to accept a "plug" that had the vice stored upside down on it, and underneath, my sewing machine, in its case. And then, the sewing machine became my step.

The vice was very useful on that boat, and this one, too!

Necessity's the mother of invention.

Ann

[brookiesailor]

Started the drop boards today. I had an unexpected day off...

[JPA Cate]

They sure sanded back nicely. Can't wait to see them with varnish on. Those louvres are a pain to get without sags. Ann

[boatpoker]

Bed too high ? Eliminate one row of drawers and drop the bed.

[brookiesailor]

hubby and I went to the boat last night to bring his temp drop board (they are blasting the Bottom this week) and we decided to but a grab rail on the inside edge of the top rim for right now....he had no problem getting in..... but for me it is up to my belly button. My spares storage is under the bow end of the bed and if I lower it I will lose a substantial amount Boatpoker. I will see how this summer goes and may revisit next winter

[letsgetsailing3]

The folding mast step looks like an ideal and easy fix.