Part 2 - Columbia 29 refit, in the Rocky Mountains

[406Columbia]

We got a few things in the mail today. Three more backing blocks, two for the cockpit drains that are 2'' and one for the sink drain that is made of either red or white oak.

More importantly, we got the Flexi-Sander! After watching this in action fairing I think it will save us time and a lot of money. The cost of the electric sander, flexible application trowel and three packs of sandpaper is less than one day of labor at the boatyard fairing, glassing or anything else.

https://flexisander.com/en/

[406Columbia]

I will have to post some photos, but yesterday Don was kind enough to take us out and we had an absolute blast. Thanks Don! Details to follow.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

I will have to post some photos, but yesterday Don was kind enough to take us out and we had an absolute blast. Thanks Don! Details to follow.

The pleasure was all mine! We'll do it again soon!

[thruska]

Originally Posted by Don C L

The pleasure was all mine! We'll do it again soon!

Kudos to you Don 👍🏼

[406Columbia]

I still need to load the photos from being out with Don, falling behind a bit. We got one of the 7'' backer plates in for the new 2'' cockpit drain seacocks. Took tons of thickened epoxy to level that monster out.

I hope to get the second one in place tomorrow. For the actual cockpit drain, I will use red oak, epoxy that in place and countersink the new Marelon drains. Photos to come of that.

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

The pleasure was all mine! We'll do it again soon!

Thanks again, Don! We were both so impressed with how quickly we got out and how nice Dons set of sails was. They held excellent shape. But we also were very encouraged to keep going and finish as soon as able.

Such a nice sized boat, easy to handle and maneuver. Sailed very well, seemed easy to balance and leave unattended. The swell was actually pretty large and the Columbia still seemed real smooth. Don has a real nice set-up for his outboard also, easy to get out of the water and reduce the drag. Anyway, lots of pictures were taken and ideas of what we want to do or feedback from Don on what could be done better on these boats.

[Don C L]

Well here’s one of you at the oars! Show all the shots of my boat from a long way off! (She looks a lot better that way ) btw check my albums for shots of the engine, I’ll get the measurements next time I’m out.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Well here’s one of you at the oars! Show all the shots of my boat from a long way off! (She looks a lot better that way)

here is a better idea as it requires no new holes in our boats

http://www.solopublications.com/sailario.htm

[Don C L]

Interesting. And btw there is a Columbia 26 mk1 right behind it! It looks like the oarlocks are little high that way for my tastes, I think they’d need longer oars. Way too little length between the handle and the stop. Needs more overlap when oars are out of the water. Being that high too, I think they’d need some angle on the locks. In my humble opinion. Clearly he and I have shopped at NRS!!!
I’m going to install a similar stern mount for sweep steering or sculling, but I won’t be using the flag pole mount!

Good little website though! Gotta include that in Plastic Classics group!

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Interesting. And btw there is a Columbia 26 mk1 right behind it! It looks like the oarlocks are little high that way for my tastes, I think they’d need longer oars. Way too little length between the handle and the stop. Needs more overlap when oars are out of the water. Being that high too, I think they’d need some angle on the locks. In my humble opinion. Clearly he and I have shopped at NRS!!!

there I fixed the link to Augustine's page
Likely he is not to far from you guys . The boat is a Pearson Ariel

[Don C L]

Now that I look at it, an Ariel May have low enough freeboard for that arrangement to work, but generally the lower the better.

[406Columbia]

Thanks for the links guys, those are all great ideas. The oars mounted with the Trex material on Don's boat worked so well. He also used it for backing blocks and I absolutely love that and plan to copy it. The great hinged section below the companionway steps too, great use of space on our boats.

[406Columbia]

Well been too busy to work on the boat much. Finally did mock-up the C Head with the wedge back to see if it fits our small space. Turns out it does with some modification so we ordered that up. We were trying to stay away from traditional heads.



We will have to modify it by cutting the seat likely about an inch in the front so the door to our head closes. Also will need to make a little bit of platform to make it clear our watermaker thru-hull.

Photos to come tonight I think, then we needed a way to secure our floor into the hanging locker and the head to I figured something out, more to come.

[406Columbia]

We spent a lot of time cleaning today and getting the head floor mounted with some barrel bolts and a piece of square stock to hold it down. I may work on the barrel bolts a bit to make them a bit more flush.

[406Columbia]

Well today we pulled the old backing block for the previous paddle wheel, not sure what pink adhesive they used but obviously it did a good job. Then got the new ring pull in the counter above the stove chiseled in.



Then marked out the size of patch needed for the old paddle wheel and got to grinding. Got our companionway steps sorted out, ended up hinging the first step so it flips up. Made a pretty robust mount to hold it, epoxied it in place then found a set of old heavy duty hinges. Next project will be to add a shelf or two underneath it.



Ripped the trim from the V-birth in order to make the platform more functional for our new mattress and one consistent height. Need to do some new cleats to hold the new V portion tomorrow. Will use the old trim piece for the new cleat, still great old Honduran Mahogany.



Hung the anchor locker door with some strap hinges, installed the barrel bolt to secure it. Got the frame installed for the Lewmar Ocean 30 hatch screen by Ocean Aire. Those things are pretty cool, bug screen on one side and the other is a blackout blind.



Laid some thickened epoxy along some various seams that needed to be glued in some random places. Other little things here and there but cant really remember it all. Made a plan for the quarter births, going to extend the platform out about a foot or so, in order to accommodate a full height adult. Then cut out the salon deck that accesses the storage under the seating and increase the storage area under it. Not sure if that makes sense but I will post photos ASAP.