Part 2 - Columbia 29 refit, in the Rocky Mountains

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Great assessment thanks for posting it.

On another note I take it you don't want my 9.9 suzuki electric start now

Yeah, thanks for the offer, but (I hope) this engine should last me a while!

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Yeah, thanks for the offer, but (I hope) this engine should last me a while!

Here's hoping it outlasts us all

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Boat's looking great!

After a couple weeks now of hopping around the islands (about 140 miles of motoring) with the new Tohatsu 9.8 and power prop I can report that I got great mileage (about 8 mpg at about 5.7 knots or a little less than a gallon per hour), had way more power than I needed (more than half throttle was just a waste since I was already going 5.8 knots at about a third throttle), and no hiccups. I can put two 6 gallon and a 3 gallon tank in the lazarette, so that was plenty! The only fly in the ointment is that the flow through power prop gets clogged easily if you motor through a mass of kelp. You have to stop, pull up the engine and clean it out so it's important to have a mount like mine that allows you to get at the prop when needed. I had to clean it when the boat was pitching, so if you have a mount that requires you to tilt the engine up, it will be really hard to reach the prop to work on. I got a good deal on this engine but if I were to do it again and was going to buy new I'd probably go with an 8 hp with the power prop option. Maybe that helps in your engine planning, if you are going with the outboard. Functionally, I love it but I'll be the first to concede it does not at all look attractive.

Don,


Great info! I have a bit less power, running a 6hp Tohatsu with the elephant ear (power prop). I just serviced it but need to adjust or replace the shift bar. Anyway, hoping it serves us well since its almost new.

[406Columbia]

Finished the stain, now in the five layers or so of Total Boat wood sealer varnish primer. Try saying that tree times fast. Once this is all done, will lay out some Halcyon marine varnish also from total boat. Not sponsored by total boat or anything but it has been excellent for us so far and competitive prices.

Filled in the hole where I assume at some point a faucet had been mounted. Someone at some point took that out and added a pot fill, which we love. Not sure what came from the factory but maybe some other Columbia 29 owners can chime in.

Wrapping up the quarter births, already did the platforms. Pulled all the fiddles off, they are getting some love. Also waiting for a counter top company to give us a quote on quartz tops and compare that to actual laminate replacement. Nothing crazy, just thinking we will do white countertops.

Luckily taking off the fiddles was easy, the glue had failed a long time ago and they were being held by the nails alone. Really cool style to them so wont make any new ones after all. I suppose if we get quartz tops or something similar the company could build in some fiddles.


Picked a great idea up from the Youtube channel Free Range Sailing. Their cupboards had the issue of condensation. Their solution was to add a layer foam to the top of the cupboards. Funny enough we have some foam gym floor mats we purchased and plan to use inside the quarter births. Have plenty of extra so I will cut up some pieces and Velcro (3m command strip) those into place to hopefully eliminate the condensation problem before we ever have it.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....AC_SL1500_.jpg

[406Columbia]

Thanks Don for some time on the water!

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by 406Columbia

Thanks Don for some time on the water!

Come back up for more! I need someone to get me back out there! You can bring the warm beer next time

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Come back up for more! I need someone to get me back out there! You can bring the warm beer next time

Deal, although i may throw the beer into a cooler for good measure! I have been looking for an excuse to head up and visit Mikes marine consignment, they have that Sea Swing and an Edson outboard bracket I like.

[406Columbia]

Working back and forth between the yard and house. Getting some welding done also, the anchor platform has proven to be quite a chore. Hope to get the plates welded up tomorrow for attachment to the hull.


Put on some of the Beckson plastic hinges, for when you are sick of dealing with corrosion.

[Don C L]

Looking beautiful. You should put in before and after pictures for those not familiar with the boat!

[406Columbia]

Don Had a great idea, some before and after pictures. Been a long road and not done yet, but slowly she is coming around. Hard to believe we are getting things put back together. Entire boat went down to raw fiberglass on the inside and decks and cabin trunk, lots of fiberglass work.



We started this project with absolutely no boat work experience, never painted or fiber-glassed anything, never had really done any real wood work either. I have done lots of 12 and 24 volt but that is about the extent.

[406Columbia]

A few after paint inside and out, install of the lewmar 30 and 60, ripped out deadlights, glassed in marine ply and install of lewmar port-lights all around.

[AKA-None]

Wow nice work

[Don C L]

Fantastic! I really like the board that fills in the space under the cockpit benches making those small quarter berths. That has me thinking.
Let me know if start thinking/planning those boom gallows arches/dodger we were talking about!

[Greatest Lakes]

Impressive amount of work done. Keep it up! We got to enjoy some relatively flat water and a good breeze during the weekend. I'd sure like to figure out how to get my speed transducer to work right. My GPS speed is accurate when compared to other GPS speeds, but my hull transducer must have mounting issues as it's always low.

[406Columbia]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Fantastic! I really like the board that fills in the space under the cockpit benches making those small quarter berths. That has me thinking.
Let me know if start thinking/planning those boom gallows arches/dodger we were talking about!

Will do! This anchor platform is getting close to completion, once that is done and holes drilled I will spray the hull and I guess the next project is the dodger, sea hood and then the mini solar arch. Which I can do in the water so getting close.