Princess 35 Here We Go

[oldgit]

agreed. Also vinyl wrap will not do well in the battle against concrete. It is of course your boat but new owners do not always know best

Not just its ability to withstand abrasion.
Boat owner had some "wrapping" work done on a 45 ft Trader type boat over the last couple of seasons, trying to remedy some gel coat age deterioration and smarten the boat up.
Some sections had to be done again, the finished result is already producing few head shakes from folks walking up the pontoon.
OK, for the odd stripe or decal but over large surface areas, nothing will last as long as proper paint job ?

 

[Princess35]

Hi Everybody.
Thankyou for all your comments.
Thought I’d write this to answer a few of your questions.
The boat has now been fully antifowled. I’m hoping that it will be back in the water just after this Christmas. My marina won’t allow the boat to be indefinitely out of the water as its taking up yard space. Obviously they have to wait until the necessary work has been carried out but there already moaning about the time it’s taken so far.
You can’t carry out the amount of clearing on a pontoon as I need a skip next to the boat. I’m already on my 2nd skip lol.
So I’ve concentrated on the clearing and outdoor hull work whilst it’s on the hard standing.
I expect this whole rebuild will take me 2 years to complete. Most of this will be done whilst it’s in the water on the pontoon.
A lot of comments are about its vinyl wrap. I’m having it wrapped because it’s a lot easier to get that perfect new boat finish.
Vinyl wrapping is also very cost effective compared to professionally spraying it.
To have it painted professionally the boat really needs to be under cover in a spray booth. It was hand painted before and it looked absolutely crap.
I’m not worried about damaging it because it’s not going to touch any concrete ever. That’s what fenders and fender socks are for.
I’m quite experienced with boat control so I’m not worried at all.
I don’t want to give to much away but what I have planned for this boat It will be worthy of at least a full Nick Aquaholic tour.
So watch this space

 

[Mr Googler]

Hand painted…..outside….in April ??

The equation is 1 hour painting to 50 hours sanding

 

[oldgit]

View attachment 145540View attachment 145541
Hand painted…..outside….in April ??

The equation is 1 hour painting to 50 hours sanding

thats impressive.

 

[Princess35]

Hi Everybody.
Time for this weeks final update.
The second stage clear out is finally finished. I have now completely cleared both sleeping compartments ready for the new build.
I’ve completely removed both large cabinets each side of the bed but I’ve kept some of the fibreglass bed base in the owners cabin as it’s really strong and is perfect for a chassis to fix a new bed frame to.
Now everything is removed and cleaned up there both actually good sized compartments. Both owners and guest cabins will now be able to fit a proper double beds in.
This is my second hippo bag full of rubbish. I guess there will be 1 more to go lol.

Next week is going to be a busy week on the boat.
Weather depending the vinyl wrap guys want to start with the hull wrapping.
Towards the end of the week the engine is hopefully being removed ready for the refurb.
Whilst all this is going on I’m going to start the 3rd and final phase of my clearing out.
It’s time to clear out everything below. All the old wiring looms, plumbing, and engine wiring needs to be removed.
The boat has had lots of owners over the years and every owner has made there own bodge up modifications to the plumbing and electrics.
So it all needs to go ready for a complete rewire and plumbing.
So more next week.

 

[Tradewinds]

If you feel like you may have bitten off more than you can chew spend few moments watching Sailing Flying Coney. Makes your Princess project look like a doddle!

 

[Obi]

I’m quite experienced with boat control so I’m not worried at all.

As im a complete novice with driving boats I’m glad the weather was absolutely still.

That was quick learning in two weeks on the hard
Great thread though. I did something back in 2010 with a 1980s Oyster ketch. Thoroughly rewarding and a big benefit is that at the end of it, I knew a lot about each system on board, and that learning curve has also helped me as a professional skipper. I also go the boat exactly how I wanted it.

 

[Princess35]

Hi everybody.
Time for this weeks mid week update.
Firstly Thankyou for all your comments about hitting my head against a brick wall about continuing on with this restoration project.
I still think what have I done lol. But after looking at some old photos of my past projects you forget what you have achieved in the past. Especially what they were like when you first started.
This heep is no different to be honest.
So I’ve been busy getting everything ready for the engine to come out tomorrow. Thursday.
I’ve unbolted the cross beams so the engine can be lifted clear. Tons of access now so it’s a lot easier than removing a car engine.
I’ve started removing all that old wiring and batteries from down below.
After 10 + different owners over the years. Each owner has done there own bodge up modifications.
It’s amazing it didn’t blow up and catch fire to be honest.
It’s so much easier and nicer to start again and everything going back in to be brand new.
I’ll let you all know how I get on with the engine removal.
So watch this space.

 

[Bigplumbs]

Why did you think stripping it all out at once and throwing away all your templates and any pieces you could have reused was a good idea ?

 

[stelican]

Why did you think stripping it all out at once and throwing away all your templates and any pieces you could have reused was a good idea ?

You need to read his reasons stated earlier.

 

[Obi]

A nice opportunity to get it spotless in there too. The first time I came across an engine and bay painted white I did not understand, until the owner explained. It makes it very easy to identify any leaks on anything.

 

[Princess35]

Definitely time for a update.

Yes stripping out the interior completely is justified. Everything was wet, smelly and rotten.
There were no templates as most of the panels just fell apart from rot.
It certainly smells a lot cleaner now it’s all gone. Out with the old and in with the new.

So today was engine removal day.
With the help of a mechanic friend we remove the engine in little time.
After disconnecting everything. Cables, pipes and the drive shaft it was ready to lift.
The messiest part was disconnecting the coolant pipes as all the rusty old water flowed into the bilges.
It’s a dirty old engine covered in years of old oil which worked in our favour as there were no rusty bolts to deal with.
Once the engine was lifted clear we rested it on the back of the boat ready for the big crane.
it’s a small engine it’s very heavy. No aluminium here. Just a solid cast iron lump.
Even tho the engine looks quite clean. We did give it a wipe over but it’s absolutely nackered. It’s a absolute dog to start. Smokes so much you loose the marina in its cloud.
Gretta Thunberg would be proud. lol
After lunch the marina crane lifted the engine from the back of the boat down on to a pallet on the floor.
It’s now ready for Calcutt boats to collect it for a complete rebuild.

With the engine out it’s now time for some serious cleaning.
Firstly finish off gutting the areas down below. All the old wiring looms, old nackered diesel heater, pump and old plumbing needs to go.
Once empty I can clean everything ready for painting.
So hold my beer.

 

[Princess35]

More photos

 

[JOHNPEET]

That engine at least externally, looks to be in pretty good condition!

 

[Mr Googler]

Here’s your first money saving tip. Paint the engine bay (after completely cleaning and degreasing) garage floor paint.

leyland paint from screw fix is pretty good as is their heavy duty degreaser.

 

[harvey38]

I don't want to p$s on your parade but after you "Hitting the wall", how much is that rebuild going to cost you? Running rough and smoking doesn't necessarily mean a rebuild, bad fuel, injectors recon., injection pump timing are the first things I'd be considering but hey, too late, the engine is already out

 

[Mr Googler]

I don't want to p$s on your parade but after you "Hitting the wall", how much is that rebuild going to cost you? Running rough and smoking doesn't necessarily mean a rebuild, bad fuel, injectors recon., injection pump timing are the first things I'd be considering but hey, too late, the engine is already out

needs a v12 in that massive engine space

 

[dunedin]

needs a v12 in that massive engine space

Or preferably if it is a river boat now would be a good time to convert to an electric drive

 

[Bigplumbs]

Or preferably if it is a river boat now would be a good time to convert to an electric drive

Do you think the OP has funds for that

 

[Bigplumbs]

I don't want to p$s on your parade but after you "Hitting the wall", how much is that rebuild going to cost you? Running rough and smoking doesn't necessarily mean a rebuild, bad fuel, injectors recon., injection pump timing are the first things I'd be considering but hey, too late, the engine is already out

I fear this person Tends to go for the sledgehammer to crack a nut option