GrowingLad
Well-Known Member
I don't know what it is with me and boats that are well past their sell by date. I would have thought I'd have learnt my lesson with my little motor boat.
Anyway, whilst on our summer holiday sitting on the beach talking to my Wifes Godfather (plus he was the best man (Greek Version) at her Grandparents, her parents and also our wedding)....picture mad Scientist and yes, he was one. We get talking about his sailing dinghy. He's a real interesting chap and could probably be the most intelligent person I've ever had a conversation with.
Anyway, he's getting on a little bit now and he's eyes are giving him some trouble. He hasn't been out on his boat for sometime and he suddenly pipes up if we would like to have his sailing dinghy. I'd been thinking about getting one a few years down the line for the kids...Now I knew that she probably wasn't in the best of condition (she dates from either 78 or 79) and she'd been sitting on the beach for sometime. But anyway, we could combine taking a look at the boat with a lunch on the beach.
Had a look at her after removing the biggest snail colony I've ever seen and could see she wasn't in great nick, but you don't look a gift horse in the mouth and I knew the sails were only two years old and the rest of the rigging/mast etc was okay.
So, I've got a bit of time on my hands whilst on holiday and like little projects so I thought I'd have a go at getting her back up and running.
First job was to give her a good clean up and decide if it could be done.
The one or two cracks turned into 5-6 holes in the hull, but CSM and resin etc aren't expensive so it's just going to cost me time.
Inside was a different matter. The Mast seat (that's the bit where the stick sits
) Was smashed away and missing...But thankfully whilst I was cleaning out the inside it sloshed out of the hole where it should have been...hmmmm just need to work out how to glass it back in and make it strong enough.
All around the dagger board box was in need of some cleaning out and strengthening.
Not sure what's lurking under the previous bit of glass work, but it stood up okay during the 4-5 days of sailing about. Don't worry, this photo is from the beginning, many more layers went on later.
Although the MIL was a star with helping out with the 3 kids I didn't want to miss out with playing with the kids on the beach so worked early morning, lunch times (hence the umbrellor...yes it was blooming hot) and then by street lamp after the kids had gone to sleep.
After hours and hours and carefully laying up layer after layer I managed to get the mast step back in place.
I also took care of business below and after a rather blustery day after 5 days of sailing everything seems to have stood up well.
I put her on a mooring at first just to check she wasn't taking on water. Then erected the mast etc to make sure that part was okay and then finally hosted the sails.
Then when the wind was light took her for a little test sail. (Sorry for the dodgy camera angle)
There are some friends of ours who also have a holiday home there (she's German, him Greek) with 3 sons. The youngest was out with them (10 years of age). After I was happy that things were working well, took him out when the wind was blowing a bit stronger. He absolutely loved it.....although when on the helm paid more attention to our wake and the noise of the rudder going through the water than looking at the sails
But he was pretty handy with the jib and loved how we were surfing down some of the waves...Could have a budding dinghy sailor in the making there.
Final day was blowing a fair bit and I ventured out, but single handed it was a bit of a handful. When I got things set up she absolutely flew, but it was gusting quite a bit and I couldn't really handle the main and jib safety so decided to call it a day. The old girl had done well and I didn't want to push things too far.
Now, just need to find a small second hand trailer and we have a great little boat for towing for future weekends away. I like my Motor boat, but it's a bit heavy for towing behind our current car. Took me back to my child hood when myself and a good friend were packed off from a station in London and spent a week sailing around Lake Bala...Although I'm glad to report the Aegean is slightly warmer
Anyway, whilst on our summer holiday sitting on the beach talking to my Wifes Godfather (plus he was the best man (Greek Version) at her Grandparents, her parents and also our wedding)....picture mad Scientist and yes, he was one. We get talking about his sailing dinghy. He's a real interesting chap and could probably be the most intelligent person I've ever had a conversation with.
Anyway, he's getting on a little bit now and he's eyes are giving him some trouble. He hasn't been out on his boat for sometime and he suddenly pipes up if we would like to have his sailing dinghy. I'd been thinking about getting one a few years down the line for the kids...Now I knew that she probably wasn't in the best of condition (she dates from either 78 or 79) and she'd been sitting on the beach for sometime. But anyway, we could combine taking a look at the boat with a lunch on the beach.
Had a look at her after removing the biggest snail colony I've ever seen and could see she wasn't in great nick, but you don't look a gift horse in the mouth and I knew the sails were only two years old and the rest of the rigging/mast etc was okay.
So, I've got a bit of time on my hands whilst on holiday and like little projects so I thought I'd have a go at getting her back up and running.
First job was to give her a good clean up and decide if it could be done.
The one or two cracks turned into 5-6 holes in the hull, but CSM and resin etc aren't expensive so it's just going to cost me time.
Inside was a different matter. The Mast seat (that's the bit where the stick sits
) Was smashed away and missing...But thankfully whilst I was cleaning out the inside it sloshed out of the hole where it should have been...hmmmm just need to work out how to glass it back in and make it strong enough.
All around the dagger board box was in need of some cleaning out and strengthening.
Not sure what's lurking under the previous bit of glass work, but it stood up okay during the 4-5 days of sailing about. Don't worry, this photo is from the beginning, many more layers went on later.
Although the MIL was a star with helping out with the 3 kids I didn't want to miss out with playing with the kids on the beach so worked early morning, lunch times (hence the umbrellor...yes it was blooming hot) and then by street lamp after the kids had gone to sleep.
After hours and hours and carefully laying up layer after layer I managed to get the mast step back in place.
I also took care of business below and after a rather blustery day after 5 days of sailing everything seems to have stood up well.
I put her on a mooring at first just to check she wasn't taking on water. Then erected the mast etc to make sure that part was okay and then finally hosted the sails.
Then when the wind was light took her for a little test sail. (Sorry for the dodgy camera angle)
There are some friends of ours who also have a holiday home there (she's German, him Greek) with 3 sons. The youngest was out with them (10 years of age). After I was happy that things were working well, took him out when the wind was blowing a bit stronger. He absolutely loved it.....although when on the helm paid more attention to our wake and the noise of the rudder going through the water than looking at the sails
But he was pretty handy with the jib and loved how we were surfing down some of the waves...Could have a budding dinghy sailor in the making there.Final day was blowing a fair bit and I ventured out, but single handed it was a bit of a handful. When I got things set up she absolutely flew, but it was gusting quite a bit and I couldn't really handle the main and jib safety so decided to call it a day. The old girl had done well and I didn't want to push things too far.
Now, just need to find a small second hand trailer and we have a great little boat for towing for future weekends away. I like my Motor boat, but it's a bit heavy for towing behind our current car. Took me back to my child hood when myself and a good friend were packed off from a station in London and spent a week sailing around Lake Bala...Although I'm glad to report the Aegean is slightly warmer
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