Part 2 - Columbia 29 refit, in the Rocky Mountains

[406Columbia]

Got some new portlights in the salon today, three of the Lewmar size 4's. The wife was a rockstar today and got ALL the spray paint off the topside paint! Saved us at least 6k for paying for a new paint job.

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by newhaul

looking good all the way around.
Just remember to mount the powersurvivor with the motor up

Good to know!

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

Got some new portlights in the salon today, three of the Lewmar size 4's. The wife was a rockstar today and got ALL the spray paint off the topside paint! Saved us at least 6k for paying for a new paint job.

Nothing will get the wife to work like " this will save a couple grand "

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Nothing will get the wife to work like " this will save a couple grand "

Fact lol! To be fair she actually loves the old girl and wants her to be beautiful again. The wife wants a new paint job but I'm ready to save some money if were honest. I figure saving money on the paint means more money for auto-tiller and new cushions, etc.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

Fact lol! To be fair she actually loves the old girl and wants her to be beautiful again. The wife wants a new paint job but I'm ready to save some money if were honest. I figure saving money on the paint means more money for auto-tiller and new cushions, etc.

and cruise kitty

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by newhaul

and cruise kitty

What does that mean "cruise kitty", I've never heard that saying before.

Took out the thru-hulls this week, had to cut them out. Then cleaned out the adhesive and backing plates. I decided to eliminate the head's waste thru-hull since we are going to give a composting head a shot.

Working with a patch that large is a NIGHTMARE. If you are reading this and thinking of tackling such a project consider vacuum bagging it. Not sure if doing it in several layers is advisable. But had I been thinking I should have brought some rare earth magnets and flexible sheet metal to help with the repair.

Another thought was after you build a patch that thick with so many layers break out the sewing machine or needle and thread and keep the patch in one piece. Not so much that wetting it out would be an issue but a few spots in the center to keep it together. I will try to remember to photograph that if I try it on any other patches.

Ordered my replacement thru-hulls from Defender along with some other stuff so hoping to get those sorted ASAP. The boat is getting prepped for the bottom job this week so my time is running out.

[john61ct]

kitty for something, like a piggy bank, a stash of money set aside, in this case for cruising costs

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

What does that mean "cruise kitty", I've never heard that saying before.

Took out the thru-hulls this week, had to cut them out. Then cleaned out the adhesive and backing plates. I decided to eliminate the head's waste thru-hull since we are going to give a composting head a shot.

Working with a patch that large is a NIGHTMARE. If you are reading this and thinking of tackling such a project consider vacuum bagging it. Not sure if doing it in several layers is advisable. But had I been thinking I should have brought some rare earth magnets and flexible sheet metal to help with the repair.

Another thought was after you build a patch that thick with so many layers break out the sewing machine or needle and thread and keep the patch in one piece. Not so much that wetting it out would be an issue but a few spots in the center to keep it together. I will try to remember to photograph that if I try it on any other patches.

Ordered my replacement thru-hulls from Defender along with some other stuff so hoping to get those sorted ASAP. The boat is getting prepped for the bottom job this week so my time is running out.

looking really good .

Cruising kitty the money you set aside to pay your way while enjoying the good life out here on a cruise on your boat.

The more you have the longer you can go before having to stop to make some more cash so you can continue.

On my boat a 6k cruising kitty would pay at least 6 months bills ( local cruising I spend less than 500 a month on average.
( my yacht club dues are 65 bucks a year and gives me reciprocal moorage ) 3 free days at most yacht club marinas . Plus electric if you want it .

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by john61ct

kitty for something, like a piggy bank, a stash of money set aside, in this case for cruising costs

Gotcha, thanks!

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by newhaul

looking really good .

Cruising kitty the money you set aside to pay your way while enjoying the good life out here on a cruise on your boat.

The more you have the longer you can go before having to stop to make some more cash so you can continue.

On my boat a 6k cruising kitty would pay at least 6 months bills ( local cruising I spend less than 500 a month on average.
( my yacht club dues are 65 bucks a year and gives me reciprocal moorage ) 3 free days at most yacht club marinas . Plus electric if you want it .

Thanks for the info. Yeah, more cash on hand is always good, it's hard to spend this much money on the boat to get it done. We're kind of in the place though where it will take just as much time to install the gadgets we want so why not just put in the best quality we think is needed (value).

Well got the patch solidified and set. Checked it from both sides and looks good, Lord willing tomorrow I can get in and grind down the inside and throw my patch on that side too. Get it structurally sound and confident it won't sink the boat with my family on her.

I covered part of the patch with wax paper to use it to hold it in place so you likely see some of it hanging on till it gets sanded down.

[406Columbia]

Also a quick question for you guys. The shipyard is advising to paint the mast, say it will corrode super quick. I had initially been thinking the bare aluminum would be okay but am second-guessing myself, any ideas? I suppose paint or powder coat maybe, but sure would be nice to have bare aluminum if it would corrode badly.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

Also a quick question for you guys. The shipyard is advising to paint the mast, say it will corrode super quick. I had initially been thinking the bare aluminum would be okay but am second-guessing myself, any ideas? I suppose paint or powder coat maybe, but sure would be nice to have bare aluminum if it would corrode badly.

my islander was bare aluminum mast for 53 years to date
How much are they wanting to charge for doing it ?

[malbert73]

If anything just apply a coat of wax to bare aluminum maybe? I wouldn’t paint if I were you

[Don C L]

My mast is bare aluminum, since '62. A painted mast looks really nice though, but eventually the aluminum will corrode underneath and bubble the paint in places. At least that is what happened to the mast on my old boat when I had it painted with LP (long time ago). Aluminum likes air.

[thruska]

Our columbia28 mast had need of paint when we acquired it.
It was bubbled in areas where I suspected poor preparation previously.
Those areas were at fittings such as tip of mast and spreader mounts.
We took care to prep the mast properly with sanding those areas in particular.
We removed rigging and taped off bits not to be painted.
Did not use a primer. Used 3or4 rustoleum spray cans. Got very good coverage and good finish. We had several people ask us how much the yard charged us.
The yard quoted us 900$. I spent three days total.
That was about 6 years ago.
A yard in Hampstead got overspray on the mast in storage. Had to argue with them to fix it. They did not paint the complete mast. It was a hack job.
Couldn’t get out of that yard fast enough.
The paint has not peeled or bubbled. But recently has gotten scratched while sitting on deck
It’s labor intensive. The materials was of no major consequence, well under 50$.
Obviously some yards don’t let you spray anything.
The reasons are obvious if they themselves can’t control the process.
Good luck with your decision.