Part 2 - Columbia 29 refit, in the Rocky Mountains

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by newhaul

i can confirm that the bulwark on his bow is an aftermarket addition . The stock toe rail is only about 1.5 to 2 inch tall and molded into the deck .

Interesting, what we have is indeed molded into the deck and our appears to be about 2 to 2.5 inches. We can see where the deck and hull joint are put together and it all looks pretty consistent. Having ground and sanded down it all looks like pretty old fiberglass and I don't see anything that appears to be a new layup. But who knows.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

Got the G10 backer blocks done for four of the thru-hulls, wow that stuff is the worst material to cut or drill I have worked with in a long time. I ended up having to buy special carbide teeth hole saws from Diablo.

Had to score the shape if you will with a huge 5 or 6-inch hole saw, then cut off most of the material with an angle grinder with a cut off wheel. Then use the belt sander to bring it into the nice round shape. Lots of work and lots of time.

Also, the wife chipped away more junk around the toerail/bulwark.

Wanna trade i have been making a new portable anvil out of light rail iron . Mostly by hand

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Wanna trade i have been making a new portable anvil out of light rail iron . Mostly by hand

GOOD GRIEF! I will happily keep working my G10 hahaha.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

Got the G10 backer blocks done for four of the thru-hulls, wow that stuff is the worst material to cut or drill I have worked with in a long time. I ended up having to buy special carbide teeth hole saws from Diablo.

Had to score the shape if you will with a huge 5 or 6-inch hole saw, then cut off most of the material with an angle grinder with a cut off wheel. Then use the belt sander to bring it into the nice round shape. Lots of work and lots of time.

Also, the wife chipped away more junk around the toerail/bulwark.

Yeah the times I used it I didn’t try cutting curves in it, just squares and ground the edges smooth. Guess I shouldn’t say that now

[406Columbia]

A few more pictures of the backing plates in the process of being made.

A couple of shots of the step where I was epoxying the backing plates to the hull. I found it works well and gets the angle just right if I insert the thru-hull into position, of course, wrapped in wax paper. Then insert the thru-hull all the way in. If the inside of the hull where I was installing was perfectly flat It wouldn't be an issue.

Anyway, I mention this for anyone else who at some time down the road ends up restoring an old boat and is reading this. Maybe it will help you. These old boats take a lot of work but when you are done they are exactly what you want. You know every inch of it.

[406Columbia]

I have been thinking about what to do for a hawse pipe. Do you guys actually use a hawse pipe? Or do you let the chain fall through a hole in the deck and into the locker? I suppose it wouldn't need to be a very long section at all maybe just a few inches?

I already have a deck pipe lid if that's the right term. But its this right here.

If a pipe is advisable I found a source with some G10 tubing, which seems bullet-proof. I also found out the folks I purchased from G10 squares from have the ability to cut it in whatever shapes I want. Go figure.

On the next two thru-hulls, I do I will ask them to cut them perfectly round on the laser or CNC or whatever they would use. Then cut out the hole on the inside also, then all I need to do is epoxy in place. The jury is still out on glassing over the G10 and really bonding it to the hull.

[Don C L]

I see you have the deck pipe, but I'd say to consider looking for one like I got. When the cap is on, it doesn't leak much water at all, and it accommodates chain and nylon. I got mine from a guy who was parting out his boat and lucked out on getting it, I don't know the maker on it though. I'd suggest you take a drive over to Minney's in Costa Mesa ( Home ) and see if they have any good old brass ones like mine. It is larger (I think it's 3" but I gotta check) and the cap covers the entire exposed pipe making it nearly waterproof. What I did with mine is I mounted it with a toilet closet flange upside down inside of it so that the flange comes up to about equal to the top of the pipe. That way when the chain goes rattling out at high speed it is banging over the PVC pipe instead of the brass lip and it is easily replaced when needed. Here are some shots. (I know I shoulda used shorter bolts in there, that's what I had on hand...) The only thing I'd do differently is that I'd have cut the hole about 2 inches farther forward because the line sometimes hangs up on the spool I have down there, but it's not a big problem. The boat came with A LOT of extra nylon line!
BTW have you seen Minney's yet? They have a lot of second hand sails too and many that are quite good... There is a drifter there that will fit our boats, they say excellent shape... $450 I think.. I'd love to get it but I'm on a pretty tight budget so I toss it to you in case yer interested...

Edit: OOPS! I see Minney's is closed for remodeling for the entire year they say! They can't take or ship any orders! AHH!

[406Columbia]

Hello,

We got a few more supplies in the mail today. TefGel for the mast step install, cockpit thru-hulls, and valves, deck fill water fill and the cockpit drains with screens. Everything from Forespar except the TefGel of course and I have to say Randy in their customer service section was amazing.

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

I see you have the deck pipe, but I'd say to consider looking for one like I got. When the cap is on, it doesn't leak much water at all, and it accommodates chain and nylon. I got mine from a guy who was parting out his boat and lucked out on getting it, I don't know the maker on it though. I'd suggest you take a drive over to Minney's in Costa Mesa ( Home ) and see if they have any good old brass ones like mine. It is larger (I think it's 3" but I gotta check) and the cap covers the entire exposed pipe making it nearly waterproof. What I did with mine is I mounted it with a toilet closet flange upside down inside of it so that the flange comes up to about equal to the top of the pipe. That way when the chain goes rattling out at high speed it is banging over the PVC pipe instead of the brass lip and it is easily replaced when needed. Here are some shots. (I know I shoulda used shorter bolts in there, that's what I had on hand...) The only thing I'd do differently is that I'd have cut the hole about 2 inches farther forward because the line sometimes hangs up on the spool I have down there, but it's not a big problem. The boat came with A LOT of extra nylon line!
BTW have you seen Minney's yet? They have a lot of second hand sails too and many that are quite good... There is a drifter there that will fit our boats, they say excellent shape... $450 I think.. I'd love to get it but I'm on a pretty tight budget so I toss it to you in case yer interested...

Edit: OOPS! I see Minney's is closed for remodeling for the entire year they say! They can't take or ship any orders! AHH!

That's a great idea using the toilet flange to protect the deck pipe. We have been to Minneys many times and they have great prices. I wonder if they still have the store open for walk-in customers? I guess we will let you know the next time we drive by. If they are still open for walk-in and you want the sail let us know, we can ship it to you. Or better yet drive it up to you and go for a sail with you!

[Don C L]

Now there's a great idea! You should come on up and we'll give my boat a spin and you'll get a taste of what's ahead! Bring your cover-alls though... or maybe really dark glasses so you can't see her many blemishes! But she's ready to sail! I'll PM you.

[406Columbia]

You have a beautiful boat, blemishes and all.

[406Columbia]

Got the grinding done except for one salon section, glass should be done by mid next week. I also got the backer plate done for the watermaker intake, made from G10. Made up the floor panel for the head so we can mock up a C-head and make sure it will fit.

Also made up backer plates for the deck fill for the water tank and two for the new Forespar 2'' cockpit drains. Still waiting for the backers for the two thru-hulls.

A few other things also but cant remember.

[newhaul]

I don't see a compression post do you guys with the standard 29 not have one or is mine just previous owner overbuilt
Ignore the Crap in the bed berth . You can see the aluminum pipe that is my compression post on the left side of the picture.

[Don C L]

No room for one in mine, you'd have to cut the hanging locker and sink back. The dinette version has more room for one.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

No room for one in mine, you'd have to cut the hanging locker and sink back. The dinette version has more room for one.

Here is a better shot shiwing the pipe and yes it does interfere with opening the door to the head ( watch your fingers ) the door almost rubs on it