Persephone a Pandora project

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Dave95979

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Hello my name is David I have recently got hold of a Pandora 22 in a bit of a state of disrepair
I thought I would share my time with her as I have quite a bit to learn and hopefully give an interesting read for all

For a start I have to do the keel bolts as I managed to pick a lump of rust off one of them
Also get some sails fix some leaks and some more small bits and bobs

But I hope to restore this yacht to the best of my ability

I stumbled apon an old add on the web as I was trying to find out exactly what she was and looking at the photos thinking oh that looks exactly like mine I relized it was mine and had a load of details about her

So I will be on the phone tomorrow for prises to have the keel bolts done

Then to get some sails I bet the last owner has them in his shed but not knowing them they will have to stay there Shame
 
Are you sure you need to do the keel bolts? If it was just a lump of rust on the head of a bolt, and there isn't any indication that the keel has moved or is leaking, then I'd leave well alone.

My guess is that the cost of getting someone else to drop the keel and replace the bolts is more than the cost of the boat.

My first boat was a Pandora. It sailed really well, but was a bit lightly built for my liking. That said the current owner has left it out on a mooring for the last two winters and it has survived.
 
It is in Portsmouth harbour it has been on a moring for a while and still afloat so I may just get it out of the water and have someone independent to look at it for me
 
One question if I may when I look at the keel will I need to raise the yacht so there is no waight on the keel if so would it be better to look when it is in the water with a waterproof camera or something to keep the cost down and I presume that if there are no cracks in the join it would be OK to leave alone and just chek it each month or something
 
if you are lifting it out with a crane or a hoist then it will hang without any weight on the keel. If it goes in a cradle or is propped up the keel will rest on the ground and take the weight of the keel.

Either way you will be able to check if the keel joint has been broken by cleaning it up and looking for signs of significant water leakage from the join. Expect to see some rust and staining along the joint, but a leak will show up as vertical staining and water coming out even when the rest of the area is dry. Unlikely that rust on the bolts inside is an indicator of loose keel or serious bolt trouble. It occurs simply because of water in the bilge, so just clean up, apply rust treatment and paint to reduce future rusting - and keep the bilges dry.
 
I agree with my learned colleagues above, if you have no leaks or damage, tidy up and leave well alone, you will have enough work to do.

Unless you are an experienced DIY'er one of the worst mistakes is to try and make the boat like new, you end up spending pots of money, don't get any sailing and become discouraged. Lets face it, in a couple of years you may well be selling and a lot of expense will be impossible to recoup.

Don't look for Pandora sails but measure the spars and take anything you get get - free or cheap. A friend with a sewing machine can be a great help.

If you could take some snaps you will get more advice, probably more than you might want. However, now and again, people contribute stuff that is invaluable and it is all well meant. Good luck with your boat it is an exciting time.
 
Hi David,

She doesn't look too bad, My 22' boat was in a similar state when I bought her 4 years ago. My advice would be not to do any major restoration work for a couple of seasons, til you get to know it.

I would give it a jet wash, replace any rotten lines, give the wood a coat of varnish and go sailing.

I have an old bolt rope main and furling genoa that may fit, do you know your rig dimensions?
 
things i need to do to her is

check the keel rusty bolt tops and fresh water in the bilge so fix the leaks in the deck wherever that are
fix the lights and electrics and get battery
fix the loose tiller
2 hull leaks one in the cockpit drain tube and another in the depth sensor but that is only moist not a leak as sutch
replace a bent section of the furling gear
some sails get ancker
and re cover the cushions and pos fit a new metal bar that is under the mast in the cabin

oh and replace the wood that holds the outboard on

i think i will start with the sails as i am on a tight budget i will look on the net
then i will look at getting all the safety gear before i go out in her
 
PotatoNavigator said:
Hi David,

She doesn't look too bad, My 22' boat was in a similar state when I bought her 4 years ago. My advice would be not to do any major restoration work for a couple of seasons, til you get to know it.

I would give it a jet wash, replace any rotten lines, give the wood a coat of varnish and go sailing.

I have an old bolt rope main and furling genoa that may fit, do you know your rig dimensions?
Click to expand...

well i have main luff at 520cm to the black hole thinggie in the mast and 560cm to the boom foot is 270 cm mast to end of boom
headsail all i got is top of mast to the fitting at the bottom of furling trac is 570 cm

i have a sewing machine just a household one but can do a load of different stitches

i supose slightly smaller sails would go on just not to the top of the mast and boom

if you would like to sell them please let me know

thanx david almeida
 
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Well a quick update I am still doing the Pandora but have bought another yacht a vivacity 20 bilge Keeler
Week I think it is a vivacity as the other man selling it said it was a hurly I will post a pic
 
Dave,

much as I admire and encourage restoration of boats, I have to say ' whatever you're on, can I have a small half but you might lay off it a bit ! '

Keep the 2nd boat as Plan b to save her from the scrapheap by all means if you have to and can - but believe me Plan A will require all your resources, financial, physical & mental...
 
The second boat is ready to go sailing so I will use that but the first boat I want to sell so I was going to get her ready then sell it or do you think I should sell her as is without sails I don't know what it is worth as I bought the mooring and basicly got the boat free so I will prob put her on a auction site
 
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