Bought a Never splashed Colvic Countess 33 on eBay, Looking for infos

GregOddity

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Coming out of Death Row.

Haaa the Grand life of a yachtsman, we spend our time busy with cocktails at the beach club house and lounging around the marina bars with Mai Tais in hand.
We had some issues getting everything to work to a plan, but in the end, we did manage. We had a skip come collect the gut job results, then we had to shore it all up with acrows on the insides. The issue was the lack of bulkheads since most were rotten on contact surfaces being that water damage or dry rot. So we shored it all up high and low then we got her moved on Tuesday.
I do Not recommend moving an old boat that has been abandoned for 36 years and had water inside and rotten bulkheads. Even with all the shoring we did it was a slow and laborious affair always cringing at any little sound or movement. But Oddity did come out of Death Row and is standing proud on her new cradle.
We had a survey done on Thursday and we had surprises… ALL GOOD ones.
Mostly of what I thought is what was happening, but none as bad as I thought. Not even close.
The Blisters we have are Localised osmosis, there are 2 stringers ( I think that’s what they are called ) that run either side of the hull, they are made of foam covered with fiberglass. It seems the forward section close to the chain locker bulkhead has allowed water to get in to delamination from poor wetting and the all thing was a water tank when we drilled into it. The Hull presents areas of high moisture content at the height of said stringers then goes back to green and acceptable moisture levels. We could actually do spot damage repair but were tempted to strip and renew the whole hull as osmosis WILL set in with old resins. (besides it makes no sense to not do it now)
The Keel !!! which was my main headache turns out to be just a minor annoyance. There is some water in it. But a slow drip not a fountain as I expected. We also have Plates as opposed to nuggets and no signs of rust on the plates when we actually drilled a new hole to check for damage. 36 years of standing water on the bilge will get in there anyhow, so just a matter of a bit of grinding and a new few coats of resin on the bilge. The water was also at a neutral PH.
The half skeg… as to being the hardest part of the mould to lay.. it shows. There is a few repairs that were done to it in the factory it seems, and a few dry areas around the base. Nothing structural or any other damage to be seen or found.
The inside of the hull is pretty dry in most places except where the stringers run along the hull. That was also a concern that we can put to rest.
The chain plates, if you can call them that are not fit for purpose and would have been renewed anyway in proper 10mm stainless and adding a better distribution to them instead of just a small localised one.
So all in all a very busy week and a half getting all moving parts to work but a very happy result.


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Houleaux

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Re: Coming out of Death Row.

Glad to hear that the move went well and you're pleased with the results of your survey.

Look forward to the next instalment!
 

GregOddity

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Re: Coming out of Death Row.

Glad to hear that the move went well and you're pleased with the results of your survey.

Look forward to the next instalment!

Yes there’s nothing better than when a plan actually works out. We were sweating bullets having to move the boat at this stage with almost no bulkheads and having stood there for so long. But hey no damage on transport and it went slow but fine like clockwork.
We will post a vid very soon.
 

PaulRainbow

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Re: Coming out of Death Row.

The Blisters we have are Localised osmosis, there are 2 stringers ( I think that’s what they are called ) that run either side of the hull, they are made of foam covered with fiberglass. It seems the forward section close to the chain locker bulkhead has allowed water to get in to delamination from poor wetting and the all thing was a water tank when we drilled into it. The Hull presents areas of high moisture content at the height of said stringers then goes back to green and acceptable moisture levels. We could actually do spot damage repair but were tempted to strip and renew the whole hull as osmosis WILL set in with old resins. (besides it makes no sense to not do it now)

Why make the job any harder than it is already ? Carry out local repairs on the blisters, dry the hull and epoxy it, job done. As for "osmosis WILL set in with old resins" how do you imagine the millions of boats with "old resins" have survived thus far, generally with little to no osmosis ? Most of those that have exhibited signs of osmosis have been either spot repaired as they show up, or spot repaired and epoxied. Osmosis isn't the pandemic problem you seem to think it is.
 

steveeasy

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Re: Coming out of Death Row.

Greg & Phil,
Well done. Looking forward to seeing you progress with your boat. Its going to be tuff, but it sounds like your both up for it.

Steveeasy
 

GregOddity

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Re: Coming out of Death Row.

Why make the job any harder than it is already ? Carry out local repairs on the blisters, dry the hull and epoxy it, job done. As for "osmosis WILL set in with old resins" how do you imagine the millions of boats with "old resins" have survived thus far, generally with little to no osmosis ? Most of those that have exhibited signs of osmosis have been either spot repaired as they show up, or spot repaired and epoxied. Osmosis isn't the pandemic problem you seem to think it is.


Hmm well Osmosis is something that 100% of boats made of resins old or new have. Unlike most my fear is not that my boat will sink or break because of osmosis. Its more to do with delamination of some areas and where I am going to go sailing. I intend to sail in Greenland and Svalbard waters and do not wish to have ice crystals forming on the hull. Having said that, I am paying for the hard, I have the boat on the hard and I’m doing a complete fit out, it kind of stands to reason to do it as well.
Osmosis in itself is not a major problem, most wooden boats survive much worse. It is nevertheless a problem that requires attention and I happen to have all the means to do a complete dry out and address the problem.
I’m afraid I think like a German, If I’m going to do something, I start at the beginning and don’t cut any corners.



Greg & Phil,
Well done. Looking forward to seeing you progress with your boat. Its going to be tuff, but it sounds like your both up for it.

Steveeasy

Thanks Steve, were trying our best, sometimes it’s frustrating but hey what else are boats for but to frustrate and DE frustrate you by applying compresses made of £50 bills.
But were hanging in there.
 

PaulRainbow

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Re: Coming out of Death Row.

Hmm well Osmosis is something that 100% of boats made of resins old or new have.

What utter nonsense.

Unlike most my fear is not that my boat will sink or break because of osmosis. Its more to do with delamination of some areas and where I am going to go sailing. I intend to sail in Greenland and Svalbard waters and do not wish to have ice crystals forming on the hull.

How do you think planing the gelcoat off with a home made planer will stop ice forming ? My boat was built in 1980 and it would happily withstand Greenland and the Arctic.

Osmosis in itself is not a major problem, most wooden boats survive much worse.

Not come across a wooden boat with osmosis yet.

It is nevertheless a problem that requires attention and I happen to have all the means to do a complete dry out and address the problem.
I’m afraid I think like a German, If I’m going to do something, I start at the beginning and don’t cut any corners.

Sadly, you don't appear to have much of a clue as to what you are doing.

I wish you well with your boat build, but it's now reached a point where i'm going to bow out of this thread.
 

GregOddity

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Re: Coming out of Death Row.

What utter nonsense.

As I think you may need to read a bit about a matter which you are pronouncing yourself in some form of authority I saw fit to provide you with some Links to research papers as to allow you to refresh your knowledge of Hydrolysis In GRP and its effects causes and prevention.
One is by Nigel Clegg for the University of Plymouth the other by Thomas J.Rockett, Ph.D. Vincent Rose, Ph.D. U.S Coast Guard Grant #1501.83 Sponsored by American Boat Builders & Repairers Association,Inc.

https://www.fose1.plymouth.ac.uk/sme/acmc/MarineConf2003/1713_Clegg.pdf

http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.925.5348&rep=rep1&type=pdf






How do you think planing the gelcoat off with a home made planer will stop ice forming ? My boat was built in 1980 and it would happily withstand Greenland and the Arctic.

I think you’re not taking the time to think that statement through, Moisture Content in GRP WILL freeze under low temps. Nordic countries have huge sheds for boats. Just saying.
But I will indulge you and explain, the “home” made plane (I don’t understand what you mean by that but hey) will remove the old Permeable gelcoat and a new one with better properties will be applied over weave and a few more things. THAT is what stops water ingress not the plane.
Have a riddle for you: What has sails and floats sometimes with a high moisture content trapped inside the hull? and what happens when it freezes?



Not come across a wooden boat with osmosis yet.

Dissing someone should be done in a more REFINED way. You could at least have READ what I wrote. Wooden boats have other problems but I have seen at least 2 with osmosis and helped repair one.
The first had received a deck fiberglass over the wood that was poorly done and developed osmosis. The second had a cockpit door cover made of Fiberglass that even twisted with big blisters.
Wooden boats WITH osmosis. I'm starting to think there is A LOT you have NOT seen.






Sadly, you don't appear to have much of a clue as to what you are doing.

I’m not sure you realize that sometimes it is better not to say anything then be judged by ill thought comments of derogatory form. You may be perceived in a way that may not correspond to the person you are.
Consider this; My next video is about fixing a bulkhead. It will be done with very specialised materials that require in-depth knowledge that is not easy to come by and in some cases take specific training to use. Now should I be able to do something like that would you say it was fair to say that your comment about what I know or not may be perceived as “small minded”?




I wish you well with your boat build, but it's now reached a point where i'm going to bow out of this thread.

Thank you and I hope you enjoyed coming along this far. Fair winds and Following seas.
 
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GregOddity

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Re: Coming out of Death Row.

Good reply Greg, sadly wasted as he has stomped. Never to return. Absolutely not. Never. Ever. Yeah right :rolleyes:

Thank you, I fail to understand the "WHY" of such comments. I have Asperger’s syndrome and I sometimes misinterpret people so I take very good care to try and understand the point of view even when it differs from mine. I also coach a group of teens with Aspergers on how to cope with comments and situations like this, that really can affect a teenager to a high degree. But all tho I have learned to move on and not pay attention I still get puzzled time and again by the WHY. I just don’t get it. It’s not an exercise in which people can learn something or even defending or questioning a point of view. It’s a random internet drive by comment of pure nothing to no end.
I will still buy him a beer on the Splash party :p
 
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Norman_E

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Re: Coming out of Death Row.

Greg, you gave a very good answer to your critic. Its your boat, so you do it your way, and good luck to you. I hope to see the pictures when it is finished and ready to sail.
 

maxi

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Good boat, as & when you finish her. I have sailed one to Ireland & Hebrides with no problems whatsoever.
My experience is that; the sloop rig performs better than the ketch rig, is cheaper & benefits from simplicity.

Good luck & don't give up.
 

Iain C

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Re: VIDEO UPDATE. 005 the Lady itself.

1-I still think you are bonkers
2-I still think it's not worth it financially or in terms of time, both of which I still think you have catastrophically under-estimated. If people could fit out a hull for 20 grand and a few months work we'd all be doing it.
3-HOWEVER-fair play to have got her moved...she does look good (on the outside!) I have to say!
4-Glad she didn't fold up when craned and the survey was OK. Don't go crazy on the osmosis/moisture...show me an old boat that hasn't had the pox at some point
5-If I were you I would not be fannying around with the outside of the hull now. You have precisely zero chance of finishing the boat this summer or next. So use the good weather to get the bulkheads cut and in. Get the internals sorted so when the nights draw in you can sit inside and plumb in engines/water/electrics to your heart's content. And I would not be planing so much as a micron off that hull laminate until I had some bulkheads in.

Crack on!
 

PCUK

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Re: VIDEO UPDATE. 005 the Lady itself.

Have missed most of this thread, so I'm coming in at the end to answer the same old whinging comment on how it's not worth doing it yourself. Total rubbish!!! If I couldn't save thousands doing it myself I would never have had a boat. So far I am on my fourth build (and rebuild!) Every boat I built made money, not counting the labour which is hobby time and doesn't count. I used the profits to build up to my biggest boat - a 12 metre steel cruiser built from a set of plates. Total cost when complete £19,000. Later fitted a new engine and aluminium flybridge. Sold her five years ago for just under 70K ! Now rebuilding a 1978 26ft Reinell sports cruiser as I needed to downsize. There are certain rules to successful DIY building: 1. Never buy anything at a chandlery. 2. Find your local commercial suppliers of stainless fastenings, hydraulic fittings, mat and resin, Timber. 3. Give yourself a boating business name and open accounts at marine suppliers as you will be buying in commercial quantities. 4. Don't ever listen to comments that it is not worth doing as those people have never done it or had the nerve or skills to try! You'll love doing this and it may not be the last once you've got the bug.
 

Tranona

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Re: VIDEO UPDATE. 005 the Lady itself.

Have missed most of this thread, so I'm coming in at the end to answer the same old whinging comment on how it's not worth doing it yourself. Total rubbish!!! If I couldn't save thousands doing it myself I would never have had a boat. So far I am on my fourth build (and rebuild!) Every boat I built made money, not counting the labour which is hobby time and doesn't count. I used the profits to build up to my biggest boat - a 12 metre steel cruiser built from a set of plates. Total cost when complete £19,000. Later fitted a new engine and aluminium flybridge. Sold her five years ago for just under 70K ! Now rebuilding a 1978 26ft Reinell sports cruiser as I needed to downsize. There are certain rules to successful DIY building: 1. Never buy anything at a chandlery. 2. Find your local commercial suppliers of stainless fastenings, hydraulic fittings, mat and resin, Timber. 3. Give yourself a boating business name and open accounts at marine suppliers as you will be buying in commercial quantities. 4. Don't ever listen to comments that it is not worth doing as those people have never done it or had the nerve or skills to try! You'll love doing this and it may not be the last once you've got the bug.

Suggest you actually read the whole thread, then you might understand why this particular project is a lost cause. A DIY builder can indeed make many small (and some not so small) savings by good buying and making things oneself, the reality is that this is essentially a bare hull and deck so there are many unavoidable purchases of major equipment that will cost more than the market value of the boat. These boats sell in very good condition and fully equipped for around £20k. Indeed several forum members own exactly the same boat and can tell, or have told him what they are worth. Add to that he has no experience of boat building and particularly GRP work yet claims to be able to finish the boat in a matter of months despite hearing from those who have built this model (most were home completed) that completion times run into years, not months.

Like you I have successfully built boats in the past from both plans and mouldings and got my money back. But the past is the past and today's market conditions are very different and there is no way (if he ever finishes the boat) he will recover a fraction of his expenditure. Of course he may not want to sell, but if he wants to go sailing he can buy an up and running boat of the same type now for less than half of the (minimal) material cost of completing his hull and deck.
 

obmij

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Re: VIDEO UPDATE. 005 the Lady itself.

Suggest you actually read the whole thread, then you might understand why this particular project is a lost cause......cut...... if he wants to go sailing he can buy an up and running boat of the same type now for less than half of the (minimal) material cost of completing his hull and deck.

Not sure why this is seen as a lost cause, nor why there is such apparent antipathy towards a couple of blokes fitting out a project boat for the craic. Even if they blow 2x the amount they could have bought a runner for, so what - it's a hobby and like all hobbies it costs as much as you wish to spend in the way you wish to spend it!

Crack on lads!
 

Tranona

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Re: VIDEO UPDATE. 005 the Lady itself.

Not sure why this is seen as a lost cause, nor why there is such apparent antipathy towards a couple of blokes fitting out a project boat for the craic. Even if they blow 2x the amount they could have bought a runner for, so what - it's a hobby and like all hobbies it costs as much as you wish to spend in the way you wish to spend it!

Crack on lads!

Perhaps you should read it all the way through. They do not intend to spend twice what it is worth. They have a budget of £20k which is inadequate for what they intend doing - by a long way. Likewise they have an unrealistic expectation of what is involved and the time it will take.

What is more worrying and why many of us have stopped contributing is that when challenged there is no concrete response to legitimate questions - just a load of waffle about "we are going to do it differently", without any indication of what the different way is.

So, it is a lost cause.
 
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