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**Don C L** · 02-09-2018, 14:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rontero

Great! I just bought a 1965 Columbia 26 so gonna be stalking you guys. Pretty similar.

That model has a number of virtues as a pocket cruiser. 6’ headroom is one. Considering it’s build quality and good sailing abilities and sea worthiness for its size, it’s an under appreciated ol’ boat!

thruska · 02-09-2018, 18:53

406, you guys have done well . Have gone that route on a 69 Columbia28 .ours shorter and less beam , yours much roomier. Ours was 10 years on the hard in Connecticut in a woods. A free boat turned into a 600$ boat after 8 miles of contract road haul on a memorial day weakend. Got squeezed in a boatyard . Four months everyday working , usually 12hrs. All while living in an rv with two big poodles.Boatyard dumpsters contain treasures. Consignment shops also . We were mentored bu some great people . We are older than you. We did not paint decks and top sides; we chose to sail instead. We went on a shoestring budget which worked for us. For the most part, the boating community is awesome !
The reward is sailing !!!
You are doing an outstanding job . Good luck to you and yours..

406Columbia · 02-09-2018, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rontero

Great! I just bought a 1965 Columbia 26 so gonna be stalking you guys. Pretty similar.

WOW, that is almost the same boat just a hair smaller. Post up some pictures, cant wait to see her. Where did you find her? I really think these boats are just beautiful.

406Columbia · 02-09-2018, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don C L

If you are describing the interior paneling and wood I am fairly certain it is Honduran mahogany. Very beautiful too. All you guys are making me very jealous .

Don,

Thanks for the info and yes I was referring to the interior paneling. I had no idea it was Honduran mahogany, really appreciate it. Now I am wishing I had bought mahogany veneered marine ply instead of teak haha. Oh well, I guess we are committed now unless I find some local place that has some which isn't likely.

We do think its very beautiful though, not disappointed in the least. My wife and I are jealous that your boat is in the water and your enjoying adventures in it now.

**newhaul** · 02-09-2018, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

Don,

Thanks for the info and yes I was referring to the interior paneling. I had no idea it was Honduran mahogany, really appreciate it. Now I am wishing I had bought mahogany veneered marine ply instead of teak haha. Oh well, I guess we are committed now unless I find some local place that has some which isn't likely.

We do think its very beautiful though, not disappointed in the least. My wife and I are jealous that your boat is in the water and your enjoying adventures in it now.

get the portlights done and splash her the rest can wait . Just needs to be weathered in paint not required.

406Columbia · 02-09-2018, 21:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by thruska

406, you guys have done well . Have gone that route on a 69 Columbia28 .ours shorter and less beam , yours much roomier. Ours was 10 years on the hard in Connecticut in a woods. A free boat turned into a 600$ boat after 8 miles of contract road haul on a memorial day weakend. Got squeezed in a boatyard . Four months everyday working , usually 12hrs. All while living in an rv with two big poodles.Boatyard dumpsters contain treasures. Consignment shops also . We were mentored bu some great people . We are older than you. We did not paint decks and top sides; we chose to sail instead. We went on a shoestring budget which worked for us. For the most part, the boating community is awesome !
The reward is sailing !!!
You are doing an outstanding job . Good luck to you and yours..

Thruska,

Thanks for the kind words, we still have a ways to go. Wow, amazing story on your boat what a score. Can you post a photo of her so we can check her out? Sailing sounds amazing and if we had the ability to be out there now we sure would love to.

We are looking forward to hitting some boat consignment shops next time we hit the coast. We tired to buy a sweet hard dinghy at our old marina but the owner never got back to us after many messages left. Really a bummer, but oh well.

Regarding boat people your spot on, we have met so many nice folks in the boat yard and marinas. Very helpful and patient just like here on the forums, always encouraging.

Cheers.

**newhaul** · 02-09-2018, 21:44

Come on out I'm sure we can get you a good deal on a tender.

406Columbia · 02-09-2018, 21:48

Just a few photos of today’s progress, more sanding and lots of staining. Filled lots of holes in the wood with some Elmer’s wood filler. Also pulled out the silicone or caulk out of the companionway slider and started filling it with sand-able and stain-able wood filler. Once we get that all sorted we will sand it all out and stain it and the rails. Then I need to find the other pair of g-10 sliders to get is to be a bit smoother opening and closing.

One shot in there of the motor stand we slapped together last week I think. Just needed something basic to get the motors off the ground and out of the way. Not pretty but works.

That little DeWalt vacuum you see in next to the companionway is awesome by the way. Would buy that again in a heart beat and it takes the old style battery and the new ones.

406Columbia · 02-09-2018, 21:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by newhaul

get the portlights done and splash her the rest can wait . Just needs to be weathered in paint not required.

Your not wrong, can do a bunch of the work while she floats. But it will save us a ton of money to do the paint work here. I don't even think we could afford to have it painted in the peoples republic of California haha.

406Columbia · 02-09-2018, 21:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by newhaul

Come on out I'm sure we can get you a good deal on a tender.

It would be an absolute blast to splash her there and cruise down to San Diego, see Don along the way. I know for a fact our sailing skills aren't there yet but we are crazy enough to learn along the way!

**newhaul** · 02-09-2018, 22:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

Your not wrong, can do a bunch of the work while she floats. But it will save us a ton of money to do the paint work here. I don't even think we could afford to have it painted in the peoples republic of California haha.

not California do it all here in puget sound you can get plenty of experience with your boat heck I'm sure I could get you a few rides on bigger boats to

SV Siren · 03-09-2018, 04:44

Great work 406. Columbia's are wonderful boats to restore, and you're doing a great job. Keep posting pictures.

406Columbia · 03-09-2018, 10:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by newhaul

not California do it all here in puget sound you can get plenty of experience with your boat heck I'm sure I could get you a few rides on bigger boats to

Don't tempt me!

406Columbia · 03-09-2018, 10:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by SV Siren

Great work 406. Columbia's are wonderful boats to restore, and you're doing a great job. Keep posting pictures.

Thanks so much Siren, I was telling my wife about your boat. Could you post a photo here or provide a link to your boats thread by chance? More photos coming today.