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fkittson · 11-08-2013, 06:18

This Friday we pull the boat for a 9 month re-fit. We will be doing gel repairs new cock-pit seating recovering all bulkheads in cherry veneer. Re doing the head with fibreglass custom Suround. New non skid and Canvis. Thank god I do all my own work I have had two quotes for between 45-75K for the work that I will be doing. Will be on the hard till mid October then in the warehouse till May. Lots to do and I will keep you posted with pics of the progress of work. Words of encouragement are more the welcome and wanted.

**James S** · 11-08-2013, 07:21

Well congratulations on getting started...and good luck.
Always makes me giggle just a little when I see a timeline......seems to always run over ...but I do know a few...very few... who have managed to stay on schedule.
Looking forward to the pictures and details.
"Words of encouragement"...you bet!...Go...go...go....

Rhapsody-NS27 · 11-08-2013, 07:31

Good luck to you.

I'm planning to start a refit in a couple years but spreading it over 3-5yrs. Hope it all works out for you.

letsgetsailing3 · 11-08-2013, 07:37

Keep us posted on costs and progress -- I love these stories!

Pics, too!

fkittson · 11-08-2013, 08:32

Hope to stay on the timeline but done enough of these to know that it almost never happens that way. I always brake it down to steps starting with the must get done things. Also when working on the boat outside on days that it rains I will have lots of cabin work or work in the shop at home to do. So much custom fiberglass to make. Including a 4'x12' custom curved swim platform, transom walk through and custom head.

**neilpride** · 11-08-2013, 09:28

Congratulations, and no matter what!! Keep going, keep going....... when you are brain toasted and tired, get a break, think about it, improve ideas, and keep going....

fkittson · 11-08-2013, 09:54

It a hard project to do for the rite price. We bought the boat three years ago for a steel. I am just updating it for resale. Only about 6k. Should be able to get at least my money out that's all I care. Want this boat gone so that we can get are sailboat. Looking for 38' to 60' ketch CC. If anyone wants to go to the dark side with a beautiful 31' 1982 Formula SC Express it'll be for sale next fall.

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**neilpride** · 11-08-2013, 09:58

I be involved in a couple of tough refits, one sugestion, dont start to many litle projects at one time, sometimes a small thing turn in a huge bunch of problems, start something, finish, and move on to other problems...

**skipmac** · 11-08-2013, 10:27

Unfortunately there is more than a little truth to the old joke, "a boat job will cost twice and much and take twice as long as you estimate."

I started a refit on my 42' Pearson that I estimated would take 1 1/2 - 2 years. Now at 3 1/2 years but the end is in sight. However in this case a lot of the delay has been due to dealing with family issues (weddings, funerals and four elderly parents), new job and business travel.

On the other hand, I am coming in close to budget but I have done this a couple of times before.

I did get a deal when I bought the boat but knew it was going to take a lot of work to get it the way I want it. I figure I got the boat +/-15% below market and will end up costing +/-15% over market. But when I'm done I will have new sails, new rigging, new plumbing, new fridge and more, so to me it will be work 25% more than a similar boat in "good" condition with all used stuff.

So, good luck. Don't get discouraged if it takes longer than planned. The end result will be worth it.

fkittson · 11-08-2013, 15:01

This is about my 5th re-fit in the last 10 years. I have learned a lot over the years. As I said I've planed for this for three years. My mind says that it will take 3 months to do. But realistically in boat time it'll be 9-10 months for the majors. (TILL IT'LL HIT THE WATER AGAIN). My rule has always been never have more then one major project going at one time. If it means that it takes longer then fine. I have built my name up as a shipwrite because of the quality of work that I do, and I don't want to lose that ever.

**boatman61** · 11-08-2013, 15:15

I started a complete re-fit... then gave the boat away..

And... she was only 21ft..

Best of luck with the job..

Matt Johnson · 11-08-2013, 15:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by fkittson

So much custom fiberglass to make. Including a 4'x12' custom curved swim platform, transom walk through and custom head.

Wait....so you're doing all this to a boat just to sell for $6,000? Ouch

fkittson · 11-08-2013, 16:09

No it's about 6k worth of work.

fkittson · 17-08-2013, 04:48

When you book a lift-out for Friday then when your at the lift all ready to go then get told that the marina manager wants a list of all the work to be done before you come out it sucks.