New Member, New Old Boat

[moepitman]

Howdy y'all! I have to say that because I'm from Austin, Texas. No blue water here, but the wife and I have long range plans to Cruise the Caribbean / central america in retirement. To get started, we have recently purchased our "training boat," a 70's vintage Seafarer 29. We are keeping it on Lake Travis.
Structurally, the boat is in good shape, but it's been sitting at the dock for years. Yes, in the water. Thankfully fresh water.
I'll be replacing all the running rigging, rebuilding the outboard motor, replacing some exterior woodwork, and doing a general scrub down. Also new batteries, wiring, and cushions.
The list is long, but I hope to have her sailing the lake by spring. Then, in a few more years, we trade up to our "real" boat down on the coast.
Experience-wise, I grew up on boats on the Gulf South of Galveston, though my experience leans more to power boats. Even so, I've done some sailing, and plenty of maintenance, repair and navigation.
My wife is from West Virginia, and a stranger to blue water, but very much on board with escaping the rat race. Her learning curve will be bigger than mine. So we're taking this gradual approach, and looking to include ASA courses along the way.
We are looking forward to sharing the journey here!

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[Celestialsailor]

Welcome to the forum.

[Don C L]

What a great little boat you have for a "training boat!"

[Tayana42]

My first cruising boat was a Seafarer 24. Not a top quality boat but I learned a lot and had a great deal of fun with it on the US East Coast and Long Island Sound. Best of luck to you and your wife on this adventure.


S/V B'Shert

[Paul Annapolis]

You are wise to start relatively small and go slowly. Just keep in mind that each boat unit (Break out another thousand) you put into your classic boat will NOT result in a commensurate boat UNIT increase in value for resale. So be careful not to put too much in. A complete and thorough examination with a list of priorities and at least two estimates for big jobs you cannot handle is suggested before you proceed. Also, it may be important and useful to replace standing rigging before replacing running rigging. Standing rigging is often ignored and not replaced while decades go by...expect it to take longer and cost more than you estimate and be prepared!!!

[moepitman]

Thanks, everybody. Point taken about the standing rigging, though it looks very good on this boat, right down to the chainplates. Also, I've been around boats enough to know that you take your original, conservative estimate, then double the money and triple the time.

That is, unless you hire things out. Then you triple the money, too.

Starting next week, I'll be shooting some progress pictures as we see what we're getting into. I'll probably start a thread under Construction/Maintenance/Refit to show progress and ask lots of questions.

The Adventure Begins...

[atoll]

welcome to the forum.

here is a link to a similar sized boat I rebuilt a few years ago if you are interested
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...rew-59975.html

[Curious Sailor]

Welcome!


http://curioussailor.blogspot.com/