Part 2 - Columbia 29 refit, in the Rocky Mountains

[406Columbia]

Got on another coat of primer in the salon. A bit more thickened epoxy to prep a nice seam. Also, ah when the manufacturer of the primer says don't use acetone to prep between coats they mean that ha. Forgot the special brushing thinner (recommended) and thought acetone would work. NOT SO MUCH.

Also, another fail was leaving masking tape on where I intended to roll out non-skid. Pulling it off months later left several areas of small pieces. Also made the mistake of using tarps during some of the storms to cover the boat. Problem is it scuffed up paint on a few heavy contact points, not much but enough to bother us.

Thinking about spraying another heavy coat of topside at the same time we spray the hull to make it as beautiful as possible.

[Don C L]

Looks great! And about scuff marks, just wait till after yer first trip! I'll get those photos and measurements of the engine hoist out today.

[Orion Jim]

Coming along nicely. Regardless of what the tape manufacturers say masking tape should be applied when needed and removed ASAP. I’ve been through that nightmare before, never again. Interlux 202 solvent works very well on removing tape residue but it stinks.

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Orion Jim

Coming along nicely. Regardless of what the tape manufacturers say masking tape should be applied when needed and removed ASAP. I’ve been through that nightmare before, never again. Interlux 202 solvent works very well on removing tape residue but it stinks.

I will give that a try, thanks.

[406Columbia]

Not sure I mentioned it already or not, but a really nice guy from Idaho left a piece of .5" starboard at the boat for us. Very kind and it will be used! People are very kind. I think he has an Albin Vega 27, beautiful boat.

[Don C L]

So a question for you, under the cabin sole, right at about the sink, there is a bulkhead and then forward of that I don't have access. How much room is in there? It is hard to tell from your shots but it looks like it is only 3 inches or so between the top of the ballast and the cabin sole. I was thinking of cutting the sole there to give me a place to store chain, but I don't want to cut too close to the hull or cap on the ballast and I wonder if it is worth it anyway.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

So a question for you, under the cabin sole, right at about the sink, there is a bulkhead and then forward of that I don't have access. How much room is in there? It is hard to tell from your shots but it looks like it is only 3 inches or so between the top of the ballast and the cabin sole. I was thinking of cutting the sole there to give me a place to store chain, but I don't want to cut too close to the hull or cap on the ballast and I wonder if it is worth it anyway.

Picture of location? On mine the layout is different than yours I'm sure but I have about 8 inches hence the future location of my 250ah lfp bank

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

So a question for you, under the cabin sole, right at about the sink, there is a bulkhead and then forward of that I don't have access. How much room is in there? It is hard to tell from your shots but it looks like it is only 3 inches or so between the top of the ballast and the cabin sole. I was thinking of cutting the sole there to give me a place to store chain, but I don't want to cut too close to the hull or cap on the ballast and I wonder if it is worth it anyway.

Hey Don, I thought it was worth cutting into. I can measure it for sure next time I go to the boat. I would certainly say you can store some spare rode or other things in it. More than three inches aft and forward depending upon how big your opening it gets smaller. It was no where near cutting into the hull. The cap on the ballast you mention, well its a few layers of glass covering it up. Mine was actually poorly adhered in two spots so I ground it out and laid up some fresh glass. Easy day.



In our boats getting any more storage space you can is helpful and that was just dead space so glad we cut into it.

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

So a question for you, under the cabin sole, right at about the sink, there is a bulkhead and then forward of that I don't have access. How much room is in there? It is hard to tell from your shots but it looks like it is only 3 inches or so between the top of the ballast and the cabin sole. I was thinking of cutting the sole there to give me a place to store chain, but I don't want to cut too close to the hull or cap on the ballast and I wonder if it is worth it anyway.

Here are a couple photos of that area. Will measure it asap.

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

Here are a couple photos of that area. Will measure it asap.

Is that shot looking forward of the bulkhead toward the v-berth? Hard to tell for some reason

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Is that shot looking forward of the bulkhead toward the v-berth? Hard to tell for some reason

Yes, looking forward towards the v-birth. Quite deep towards the back end, room for some ground tackle for sure. I didn't have a tape with me, so I put a red solo cup into the space for size reference.

I would cut into it again in a heartbeat. A jigsaw or circular saw would be ideal. If your floor is like our which I assume it would be you will notice a lot of flexing after cutting into it.

My first fix for that was to cut some wooden support legs to support it and that worked wonderfully. Ended up doing that to the factory bilge access as well.

I decided to change it up however to get more access. Got rid of the legs and got some 3/4'' teak strips, maybe 3" wide and glued and screwed that to the backside of the deck/floor and made it long enough to extend the the edges of the hull. Had that end cut to apx forty-five degrees or so so it butted up nice and that stiffened up the deck/floor just fine. Allowed for more storage room in that space and better access for all the glass work and paint I did in my bilge. I hope all that makes sense, if not let me know I will take pictures.

Got the v-birth primed and most of the hanging locker as well a few other small areas. Was able to sand out the rest of the toe rail area on the hull side and prime. Finally...............got rid of the gold arrow on the hull. Just going to spray the hull all blue-glo white. Needed to fair a few other areas on the hull and if feels smooth to the touch now.

Still not entirely sure what I will do with the area under the companionway stairs. Thought about a shelf and books, or maybe all the electrical brains for the auto tiller and solar, but not certain. Anyone have ideas they want to throw at us?

Need to order the 316 tubing for the anchor platform I'm going weld up. I think 1.25'' should work and starboard.

[Don C L]

Wow! Thanks, yeah that is plenty of room for the extra chain I have.

Under the steps where the engine usually is, is where my two 6-volt T-105 batteries sit, and a there is room for a spare (12 volt) that I'll likely put there for my new electric/pull start outboard I got. Otherwise I don't know what else to put in there. Something light and long makes sense. I have a spare tiller in there. But I kinda like having quick and easy access to get in there to see the thru-hull (only one in my case) and down into the keel void to see if any water is in there (none yet, still bone dry.)

It's funny, that hatch you opened up in the bow under the v-berth; in my boat the previous owner poured in plaster of Paris and filled up that space with about 100 lbs of it! Presumably that was to balance out the engine so far aft, and it does do that, which is necessary, but that would be a good place to store a hundred pounds of extra chain instead methinks.

Boat's looking great!

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Wow! Thanks, yeah that is plenty of room for the extra chain I have.

Under the steps where the engine usually is, is where my two 6-volt T-105 batteries sit, and a there is room for a spare (12 volt) that I'll likely put there for my new electric/pull start outboard I got. Otherwise I don't know what else to put in there. Something light and long makes sense. I have a spare tiller in there. But I kinda like having quick and easy access to get in there to see the thru-hull (only one in my case) and down into the keel void to see if any water is in there (none yet, still bone dry.)

It's funny, that hatch you opened up in the bow under the v-berth; in my boat the previous owner poured in plaster of Paris and filled up that space with about 100 lbs of it! Presumably that was to balance out the engine so far aft, and it does do that, which is necessary, but that would be a good place to store a hundred pounds of extra chain instead methinks.

Boat's looking great!

So when is the conversion TOOLS going to happen .
250ah for under 600.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Wow! Thanks, yeah that is plenty of room for the extra chain I have.

Under the steps where the engine usually is, is where my two 6-volt T-105 batteries sit, and a there is room for a spare (12 volt) that I'll likely put there for my new electric/pull start outboard I got. Otherwise I don't know what else to put in there. Something light and long makes sense. I have a spare tiller in there. But I kinda like having quick and easy access to get in there to see the thru-hull (only one in my case) and down into the keel void to see if any water is in there (none yet, still bone dry.)

It's funny, that hatch you opened up in the bow under the v-berth; in my boat the previous owner poured in plaster of Paris and filled up that space with about 100 lbs of it! Presumably that was to balance out the engine so far aft, and it does do that, which is necessary, but that would be a good place to store a hundred pounds of extra chain instead methinks.

Boat's looking great!

That is where the original owner of the Stephfen Ulysses had a 35 gallon water tank added . It offsets the 30gallons of fuel under the cockpit .

[RogerC]

Wonderful work, as always, and inspiring -- I happen to be working on a boat in sight of the Rockies as well, as it turns out.

Under the companionway I might be tempted to stash the ditch bag.