Fairline Carrera re-fit

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lewlew100

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I am hoping to get the Volvo 280DP leg removed from my non radar arch Carrera within the next two weeks, and to get the boat on the water soon after that. As an on going project I am thinking of trying to make a few mods to rectify a few of the things that I think could improve the boat and bring it a bit more up to date. I have posted a few thoughts on the Fairline owners forum, but have not yet had much of a response so thought I would try here. I do not think that the general cabin layout can be altered significantly, but I am considering remaking the internal furniture with softer (curved corners etc.) lines and in a white/light coloured material, possibly high gloss fibreglass. Being vertically challenged I find the cabin entry steps very steep and think that it may be possible to add another step, perhaps by letting the bottom step protrude a little further onto the cabin floor and reducing (or losing) the locker door by the top step. I have seen a picture of the cabin door replaced by black/translucent door and a single piece (rather than the hinged two piece arrangement that attacks my head unless I am very careful!!!) top cover from the same material. I like the the helm seat arrangement, but find the rear bench seat and engine access hatch very heavy. I also like to access the boat via the swim platform, but not having to tread on the bench seat. A solution may be to introduce a transom door or an internal (hinged step) and having a central gap in the rear seating, with perhaps a corner seat on the stbd side. If practical this would mean dividing the engine cover into three sections. Any thoughts? other than buying a different boat. Geoff.
 
lewlew100 said:
I am hoping to get the Volvo 280DP leg removed from my non radar arch Carrera within the next two weeks, and to get the boat on the water soon after that. As an on going project I am thinking of trying to make a few mods to rectify a few of the things that I think could improve the boat and bring it a bit more up to date. I have posted a few thoughts on the Fairline owners forum, but have not yet had much of a response so thought I would try here. I do not think that the general cabin layout can be altered significantly, but I am considering remaking the internal furniture with softer (curved corners etc.) lines and in a white/light coloured material, possibly high gloss fibreglass. Being vertically challenged I find the cabin entry steps very steep and think that it may be possible to add another step, perhaps by letting the bottom step protrude a little further onto the cabin floor and reducing (or losing) the locker door by the top step. I have seen a picture of the cabin door replaced by black/translucent door and a single piece (rather than the hinged two piece arrangement that attacks my head unless I am very careful!!!) top cover from the same material. I like the the helm seat arrangement, but find the rear bench seat and engine access hatch very heavy. I also like to access the boat via the swim platform, but not having to tread on the bench seat. A solution may be to introduce a transom door or an internal (hinged step) and having a central gap in the rear seating, with perhaps a corner seat on the stbd side. If practical this would mean dividing the engine cover into three sections. Any thoughts? other than buying a different boat. Geoff.
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Hi don't know the boat well, but doing the inside is a good idea splitting the the engine hatch good idea making a rear door ,it might be part of the strength of the boat and water tight ,step would be best,imo
 
Seastroke, thanks for your reply and comments. The transom door idea is not to cut the transom as such, but to remove the centre section of the rear combing above the top of the steps up from the swim platform. There is already a flat step in the combing at this point and I am sure that what I have in mind will not compromise any strength as a "U" shaped f/glass frame will be bonded in. I intend to make the door open outwards (180degrees with offset hinges) and the new frame will include close fitting door stops. I love the old Carrera, but access, the rear seat and engine hatch are IMHO not very well thought out. Geoff.
 
Just a quick update - I think that my hopes of getting the boat afloat within the next couple of weeks was over optimistic. The leg is now off the boat (that was actually easier than expected). The water ingress culprit - the top gaiter was split and I think that the suction hose is a bit on the soft side. No real worries there as all necessary items will be replaced, but I think the the engine will end up having to be moved/removed to change the jackshaft (PDS) bearings and seals and I think that is a job I shall not be able to undertake myself. Geoff.
 
Whilst waiting to see if I can get any help with the engine removal, I have decided that I will tackle the cabin entry steps with a view to making the a bit easier for the two of us. I am fairly sure that I shall be able to introduce a new step at the bottom and make 4 equal steps instead of the 3 presently there Geoff.
 
I made up the new cabin entry steps today, trial fitting looks good, just a bit of final fettling prior to fitting over the top of the existing steps and flow coating. each step now will have a rise of 234mm as opposed to the original 312mm, and I will make a small step outside the cabin door to mve the threshold back about 200mm. Will post some photos of end result. Geoff.
 
Someone re-furbed a boat with new cabinets in a more modern (curvy) style some years ago. Think it was a Turbo 36 and it was the subject of a feature in Motor Boat Monthly. Can't remember the name of the boat unfortunately. Worth doing a search as it may give you some ideas. End result was very good IIRC.
 
Thank you Greg2 and Sprocker for your comments. A quick search has not yet found the MBM article, but I will keep looking.I will get a couple of photos sorted when there is something to show. The main objective at the moment is to get the boat afloat so we can have a bit of fun this season - all be it only on the river as there are some engine/leg problems to get sorted before any coastal visits. I do have another thread on here about the bearing situation with my Volvo AD40/280DP and have now made the decision to replace the bellows, seals etc. in the leg, and leave the engine removal until the winter. Now that decision is made I shall close the other thread and just keep this one open. Geoff.
 
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