New to sailing fixing up yacht and wash board

[Rsharp901@googlemail.com]

Hi New to this bought a yacht seems all ok think it's a vavicity 20 4 berth needs new wash board are the drawings to go by anywhere? Things I need to look out for with the boat wanting to get it in the water. The boat has a toilet, sink area a log burner plenty storage solar panel and battery power system in
Anybody know the capabilities of these yachts?
Any information would be appriciated

 

[dolabriform]

Hi there

Congrats on your purchase.

It's very unlikely that there will be drawings anywhere for the washboards. You'll have to get a tape measure out and design them yourself I'm afraid, not that difficult to do tho.

After measuring, make them out of cardboard so that you can offer them up and adjust as needed. Then you can use the cardboard as templates for the real thing.

David

 

[rob2]

I presume you don't have any old boards to copy? There are some general considerations in designing boards and, of course, you may have a brilliant idea just as you finish the first set!

Most boats use two boards (upper and lower) this allows them to be more easily stowed when not in use and also means you can fit just the lower board to stop water sloshing in without stopping the ventilation to the cabin. Where the top board sits on the lower one, either the upper one has an external flap to cover the join and prevent rain seeping in or the join is angled so that water cannot flow up the join. I'm not familiar with the exact shape of the companionway of the Vivacity - most are narrower at the bottom so the boards tighten into the slots as they are lowered into place. Often the slots are wider than a typical ply board , so it has to be framed with hardwood to get a good rattle free fit. Other common materials used are plastics such as acrylic (Perspex), but can be quite costly in the thickness required but has the advantage of letting light into the cabin whilst keeping the weather out, but offers no privacy from voyeurs and thieving scrotes.

Also consider how you are going to lock it shut when you are away. Racing types are required under their rules to have a lock operable from both inside and outside, but most cruisers simply use a padlock and hasp like a shed door. The only down side is that a badly positioned hasp can try to scalp you every time you duck through. You could use a small Yale-type rimlock, but it needs quite bulky backing to mount it and has to be kept lightly greased in the salty environment. It all depends on how ingenious you are at designing the assembly.

Incidentally there are a few perspex suppliers who will cut and finish a set of boards to your drawings, but at a price.

Rob.

P.S. Just Googled "Vivacity 20" and looked at quite a few pics. The washboards seem to be rectangular so much easier to manufacture than trapezoid ones.

 

[Rsharp901@googlemail.com]

Hi thanks that's a good idea with the cardboard, this is my jib for the weekend i have the marine ply will let you know on progress

 

[Rsharp901@googlemail.com]

I presume you don't have any old boards to copy? There are some general considerations in designing boards and, of course, you may have a brilliant idea just as you finish the first set!

Most boats use two boards (upper and lower) this allows them to be more easily stowed when not in use and also means you can fit just the lower board to stop water sloshing in without stopping the ventilation to the cabin. Where the top board sits on the lower one, either the upper one has an external flap to cover the join and prevent rain seeping in or the join is angled so that water cannot flow up the join. I'm not familiar with the exact shape of the companionway of the Vivacity - most are narrower at the bottom so the boards tighten into the slots as they are lowered into place. Often the slots are wider than a typical ply board , so it has to be framed with hardwood to get a good rattle free fit. Other common materials used are plastics such as acrylic (Perspex), but can be quite costly in the thickness required but has the advantage of letting light into the cabin whilst keeping the weather out, but offers no privacy from voyeurs and thieving scrotes.

Also consider how you are going to lock it shut when you are away. Racing types are required under their rules to have a lock operable from both inside and outside, but most cruisers simply use a padlock and hasp like a shed door. The only down side is that a badly positioned hasp can try to scalp you every time you duck through. You could use a small Yale-type rimlock, but it needs quite bulky backing to mount it and has to be kept lightly greased in the salty environment. It all depends on how ingenious you are at designing the assembly.

Incidentally there are a few perspex suppliers who will cut and finish a set of boards to your drawings, but at a price.

Rob.

P.S. Just Googled "Vivacity 20" and looked at quite a few pics. The washboards seem to be rectangular so much easier to manufacture than trapezoid ones.

Hi there

Congrats on your purchase.

It's very unlikely that there will be drawings anywhere for the washboards. You'll have to get a tape measure out and design them yourself I'm afraid, not that difficult to do tho.

After measuring, make them out of cardboard so that you can offer them up and adjust as needed. Then you can use the cardboard as templates for the real thing.

David

Hi sorry got the model wrong it's a vivacity 650 it's 2 boards. The old boards are there but not able to use as a template. Think I will just use a small take clasp lock it's pretty safe where I am. Had the boat a few months but just been buying all little bits for it and now I'm going to make a start this weekend

 

[ProDave]

Can I just say, using your email address as your user name may not be the smartest move?

 

[Rsharp901@googlemail.com]

Can I just say, using your email address as your user name may not be the smartest move?

It's only an email address, not that hard to get a hold off if you really wanted it anyway, but thanks

 

[jac]

It's only an email address, not that hard to get a hold off if you really wanted it anyway, but thanks

I think it's the fact that it will make you more of a target for spam as bots look for email addresses etc.

Welcome to the forum though!!

 

[thesaintlyone]

If you haven't already check the seacocks its a job to get them out but peace of mind!!! Gate valves with wheel bad ball valves with lever okay but worth checking

 

[William_H]

Perhaps depending on where your boat is moored the wash boards are the first defence against theft and intruders. My plywood wash boards got kicked in a long time back. I had some thick aluminium that was cut to size. No more intruders.
Fit a hasp and staple type lock for padlock hasp on the wash board. Good luck with the new boat I think you will find it an ideal size for comfort versus operating costs. olewill

 

[Daverw]

We sold our vivacity 650 last year but it is still at our club, it has split wash boards that I can get to see, photo and measure for you if that helps

 

[yerffoeg]

Good luck with the boat.

Buying a boat forced me to get handy with woodworking and woodworking tools. Not only is it really satisfying to make something yourself successfully (I've had plenty of failures on the way!), but you will find the skills you acquire invaluable in the future.

 

[Rsharp901@googlemail.com]

Good luck with the boat.

Buying a boat forced me to get handy with woodworking and woodworking tools. Not only is it really satisfying to make something yourself successfully (I've had plenty of failures on the way!), but you will find the skills you acquire invaluable in the future.

We sold our vivacity 650 last year but it is still at our club, it has split wash boards that I can get to see, photo and measure for you if that helps

Hi that would be great if you could thanks

 

[Daverw]

Just taken photos and will sort out measurements on drawing

 

[Rsharp901@googlemail.com]

Hi yeah that's the 1. This will be a great help

 

[dolabriform]

Hi yeah that's the 1. This will be a great help

I hate to be boring, but double check any measurements and make a cardboard template as the fibreglass moulding and laying up process was not always the same!