Gutting a 45' sailboat

[Bigjim]

Originally Posted by PineappleOrange

How goes your refit, Bigjim?

Slow but steady. I keep a to-do list and check off items that are complete. Here's a partial list for the things I've finished in the last 4 years:

Items Complete

• Sandblast old bottom paint and barrier coat

• Repaint barrier coat and bottom paint

• Sand and paint transom

• Find and fix all leaks

• Replace all port lights with polycarbonate

• Replace all hatch lenses with polycarbonate

• Rebuild companion way hatch

• Design and build removable hinged doors for companionway

• Open and service winches

• Fix leaks in water tanks and flush with tank cleaner

• Replace engine cooling intake and hoses

• Remove headliner and replace with PVC beaded wainscot

• Remove and replace old paneling

• Replace old electrical panels with new Blue Sea panels

• Install new battery charger for shore power

• Replace interior incandescent lighting with LED

• Install LED pot light and LED strip lighting near cabin sole

• Replace manual toilet

• Replace toilet hoses and holding tank vent

• Add vented loop to toilet hoses to holding tank

• Remove and rebuild vanity in head

• Replace water service hoses with PEX

• Replace faucets in head and galley

• Shorten diesel tank hose

• Sand and seal cabin sole

• Design, fabricate and install cabin table bracket

• Remove old interior insulation and replace with closed cell foam

• Install mahogany strips over insulation (in v-berth)

• Remove old, non-working instruments

• Order new mainsail

• Design and build pantry organizer for plates, bowls and cups

• Design and order new carved name plaque for transom

• Install lazy jacks

• Redesign mainsheet and traveller

Items still pending

• Install and wire new instruments

• Install Raymarine network

• Install new auto pilot

• Repair and rebuild rudder

• Compound, buff and polish all gelcoat

• Rebuild icebox with modern insulation

• Install DC refrigeration in icebox

• Install accumulator tank for water system

• Water heater (eventually)

• Finish installing paneling and trim throughout interior

• Finish installing insulation and mahogany strips in main cabin

So much done, but so much to do. I wish I was already retired so I could work full time on the items still waiting to be done. Or, if I lived in a warmer climate that would allow me to work more in the winter. It's hard to do paint and epoxy when temps go down below 50.

[MicHughV]

While I was building my boat...like above....I prepared a "to do" list...in fact, I prepared several such lists as the build proceeded.

I have kept all these and it makes for good reading on a cold winters night.

Without those lists, I'd be lost, but the lists allowed me to plan for the next task or tasks that may have been several notches down the line.

Going thru' your list brings back the memories .

[PineappleOrange]

Originally Posted by Bigjim

So much done, but so much to do.

When I first started going through the list, that was my impression. "Damn, that is a lot of work done and likely only a small portion of the work still to be done."

Making lists is important, but coming back to them is even more so. It is so easy to start working on something and then forget everything else you meant to do.

It reminds me of an incident today at work. The chief wanted me to get an oil inventory for our steering gear HPU. Naturally I didn't write it down, and then I got started on working on a completely different task. Oops. Guess I'll have something on my list for tomorrow. :P

Lists are important!

[Benz]

While I would no doubt be less scattered with a list, I'm nowhere near organized enough to make one or remember where I put it when I did. Somehow my mind just grabs the big picture and every step gets done when it begins to hold up the rest of the works.
I like to have a few different things going at once: that way if I need more screws I can still sand elsewhere until I have time to go shopping.
Also it's nice to have several work areas in case you just painted in one and need to keep busy while that dries.

[MicHughV]

For some people......the " building" is the thing....

I know a guy that has been " building" his boat for over 40 years now. The boat is gorgeous, but there is always something that has yet to be done. Actually launching the boat and going somewhere in it, is not the plan. Voyaging is all in the mind for him.