Classic Restoration Whilst Living on Board

[corsaro]

Hi all, I've just joined this site!

I live on a classic wooden boat that I'm currently renovating, so far I've rebuilt the engine, re- wired the electrics, & replumbed the fresh water, all to make Corsaro liveable!

I've restored the wooden mast & boom, so that I could take her sailing, before making a start on redecking parts where rot had set in. Still have a fair amount to do, including two more sections of decking, the aft cabin trunk, the top two planks and all the trim (rubbing strakes, etc).
Alot of work, but the boat is awesome, and will be great once done!!

Corsaro is a 20ton Hillyard, built in 1967 (the year I was born!). She started life in Ramsgate before travelling to the Med, where she was owned by a US Major throughout the 70's. A subsequent owner found a shipment of morphine on board, so was that major a smuggler or an addict?!
Corsaro's history is unknown from then, until she ended up ashore in Plymouth in 1999. Eight years later, she was taken on by a freind of the then owner, who really had no idea what he was doing, & I took bought her a year later.

The biggest problem I've encountered is the British weather, non stop rain all last year has put me behind schedule. I would tent her over, but have two ships cats, who would take great delight sliding off any tent & into the drink!

[boatman61]

Hi there Corsaro... nice boats the Hillyard... used to see a lot of them around Poole and the Solent a few years back... good to see they're being preserved..
Welcome to CF..

[atoll]

looks like a labour of love,welcome to the forum from just down the coast in falmouth.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, corsaro.

[SimonV]

My hat comes off to you as doing any kind of work on the boat while you live on her is difficult to say the least, even more so if the wife is aboard.

[roverhi]

Hang ropes over the side, throw the cats in and teach them to find them and climb back aboard. Will probably save their lives.

Can't imagine doing a job of the magnitude of yours without protection from the elements. Built a fiberglass boat from a bare hull in sunny SoCal and there were times I wished I had a roof o Ed the boat.

[corsaro]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, corsaro.

Hi GordMay, in response to your comment, I couldn't start, or complete, any work on Corsaro before moving on board as I was already living on board a smaller yacht, which is what I swapped for Corsaro! Had I been shoreside and living a 'normal' lifestyle I would have completed the work before! The issues facing me are weather, not cash or time! I relish and enjoy the challenge of the renovation, & am under no illusions as to the extent of the work ahead!

[corsaro]

Thanks to all for thw warm welcome to C F!

[GordMay]

Sorry for the misunderstanding, corsaro.
My “comment” wasn’t directed at you (or anyone specifically); it’s just a general adage/aphorism or “tag line” (like Nike’s "Just Do It"), that concludes all my posts.

[boatman61]

If its the centre cockpit version it'll make life easier for him.. do it in fore and aft legs and move into the renovated areas when starting the other half... all one needs is a dry bunk and cooking facilities
This is 'Raw Crusing'... not the 'I'm gonna buy an 80ft yacht.. should my curtains be blue or pink...'

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
I'm lucky enough to have my project next to my home and I still do understand about the weather not cooperating.
kind regards,

[Artif]

Welcome.

Speaking from experience, get a cover over her, rain water will kill the boat very quickly.

Lovely looking boat btw.

[nagrom snoyl]

will be interesting to watch this project as you progress, just wanted to know if you are doing her up only as a liveaboard that is going to stay where she is or do you plan to travel futher afield with her? either way good luck

[corsaro]

Originally Posted by Artif

Welcome.

Speaking from experience, get a cover over her, rain water will kill the boat very quickly.,

Lovely looking boat btw.

Hi, yes I agree with you, thats why I throw buckets of salt water over the decks on a daily basis! I would recommend this even for non project boats, it keeps rot at bay!

[corsaro]

Originally Posted by nagrom snoyl

will be interesting to watch this project as you progress, just wanted to know if you are doing her up only as a liveaboard that is going to stay where she is or do you plan to travel futher afield with her? either way good luck

I intend to travel further afield one day! If I were just doing her to live on, it would be alot simpler - just fill the holes & shieve the rest!!