Ahoy from belgium and the crazy store of an old trintella

[ccgarnaal]

Hello

I have been enjoying this forum last few weeks but haven't introduced myself yet.
So here it is.

I am a 21 year old senior nautical college student from Belgium with a Trintella 1.

How did I get the boat? Crzay story:
I am a volunteer for the VBZR - VRIJWILLIGE BLANKENBERGSE ZEEREDDINGSDIENST the Belgium coastguard. Whole different concept then the USCG we do SAR only.
More then a year ago we where called out for an old boat with a broken mast and engine trouble.
First picture is me with the boat.
I saw it, went aboard and help cleaning up before towing her in. While on board i noticed how beautiful she was.
The owner was a 80 year old man who was tired and decided to quit after this incident he told me on the tow back to port. So 2 days later i bought his boat.

Now I had a really cheap 50 year old boat with loads of work.

What did i have to make her seaworthy again:

Complete osmosis treatment even grinding out and replacing upper layers of the hull. Plaster everything with epoxy and give her 7 layers of waterproofing paint.
Rebuild complete electrical system (old one was pure fire hazard).
Replace rudder hinges.
Overhaul original 50 year old engine. (Thank you dad, an old marine engineer)
Build a new indirect cooling system
Overhaul Controllable pitch propeller and replace a bend blade
Built a new mast. (with the help of a special friend that owns a boat yard specialized in rebuilding wooden boats) but still a huge project.
Go trough his site for some amazing pictures.
Scheepswerven Jan Vandamme | Nieuwbouw, restauratie,onderhoud en herstellingen
Rebuild mast foot and top of cabin because of rotten wood.
Replace fresh water pump.
Overhaul and repair broken furling.
Remove broken equipment and close the holes in the hull and cabin.
Sand and varnish all wood.
Repair teak cockpit flooring.
And half the stuff i probably forgot.


Now she sails but I am still far from done.
Whats left:

A proper navigation system (building something with OpenCPN and a watertight screen as we speak)
Sand down cabin, glue veneer on it and varnish.
And the biggest one: remove the teak deck remove all copper vises holding it. Glue it on and sand it even again. (i fear some damage to the balsa core polyester under it on some places)

I have 2 weeks of classes left and then i start my last internship on board a cargo ship. So starting end this month it's gonna be 6 weeks on board a cargo ship, 6 weeks sailing and working on the boat.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Welcome to CF, I clocked a few of your posts previously - have always liked the look of Trintellas.

[ccgarnaal]

some photos

[David_Old_Jersey]

A proper boat .

(with apologies to Don )

[boatman61]

Hi... Welcome to Cf
They made some lovely small boats under 40ft...

[ccgarnaal]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Hi... Welcome to Cf
They made some lovely small boats under 40ft...

They did, and you have more space in these then a modern 28ft.
I have 6' + headroom and 4 berths (3 single and 1 double)

[deckofficer]

Welcome to CF, is the nautical college the same as a maritime academy whereas you graduate with a degree in Marine Transportation and an Unlimited Tonnage license? You are really ahead of the game, boat paid off, refit, and ready for your lifestyle of working 6 months then cruising 6 months. Great planning on your part, keep us posted.

[ccgarnaal]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Welcome to CF, is the nautical college the same as a maritime academy whereas you graduate with a degree in Marine Transportation and an Unlimited Tonnage license? You are really ahead of the game, boat paid off, refit, and ready for your lifestyle of working 6 months then cruising 6 months. Great planning on your part, keep us posted.

That is exactly what it is, only I do in in the Netherlands and worked twice as hard to get 2 license I do both deck and marine engineering unlimited

[Octopussy]

Hello!
We lived in Belgium for a couple of years. Loved it. Glad to have you aboard!
We are also refitting a boat, so we know the hard work, and physical and emotional pain it can entail! But it's a labour of love.

Gunstige wind en volgende zeeën.

The Cast and Crew of S/V Octopussy

______________________________
Watch the Cast and Crew as we refit a Prout Snowgoose 37, move aboard, and get ready to go cruising.
The critics are saying, "We laughed; we cried; we nearly pissed our pants!"

Follow the adventure at S/V Octopussy | "Better to take many small steps in one direction, than to make one giant leap" - Chinese Proverb

[deckofficer]

Originally Posted by ccgarnaal

That is exactly what it is, only I do in in the Netherlands and worked twice as hard to get 2 license I do both deck and marine engineering unlimited

Do you get the old "if your not Dutch your not much"? I have worked with so many Dutch over the years. I didn't double major like you did, but did take as many engineering classes as I could fit into my Deck schedule. All I can say is you really have things wired, deck and engineering, and your Trintella 1. Your parents must be very proud.

[ccgarnaal]

Originally Posted by deckofficer

Do you get the old "if your not Dutch your not much"? I have worked with so many Dutch over the years. I didn't double major like you did, but did take as many engineering classes as I could fit into my Deck schedule. All I can say is you really have things wired, deck and engineering, and your Trintella 1. Your parents must be very proud.

My parents are proud and very glad I can finally start working and make my own money. I paid for the boat myself but my parent pay for college and living.
My father has been a marine engineer all his life but never went to college. He got his license the old way starting at the bottom and worked up to chief engineer.

[Jim Cate]

G'Day CCG, and welcome to CF.

They must have taught you some great skills beyond deck officer at that school, for you have done a beautiful job of restoration on your boat... she's just lovely and that from someone of the newer design school of thought.

I look forward to your participation in the forum.

Cheers,

Jim

[ccgarnaal]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

G'Day CCG, and welcome to CF.

They must have taught you some great skills beyond deck officer at that school, for you have done a beautiful job of restoration on your boat... she's just lovely and that from someone of the newer design school of thought.

I look forward to your participation in the forum.

Cheers,

Jim

For 80% of those skills I have to thank my father who build his own sailboats.
Unfortunately he is handicapped and to old for solo sailing. He still accompanies me however. And the yard vandamme where i worked quite a few summer as an extra hand.

[nigel1]

Welcome, and to say a nice job you've done on the boat.
PS What cargo ship will you be working on, I'm in the North Sea 5 on 5 off, keep an eye out for you

[ccgarnaal]

Originally Posted by nigel1

Welcome, and to say a nice job you've done on the boat.
PS What cargo ship will you be working on, I'm in the North Sea 5 on 5 off, keep an eye out for you

I work for DEME starting out on the dredger Breydel. : BREYDEL - Vessel's Details and Current Position - 9382384 - 205520000

But I spend enough time on the North sea sailing and with the coastguard. What ship are you on?